Raheem Sterling to STAY at Manchester City and will not be part of any deal involving Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez

RAHEEM STERLING will NOT be used as makeweight to bring Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City.

According to reports, City are determined to hold on to the English forward.

PA:Press Association

Rex Features

Sterling scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner for City as they beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Dean Court on Saturday.

And, despite picking up a second yellow card for his over-zealous celebrations, Pep Guardiola is determined to keep hold of the winger.

Sanchez looks set to leave Arsenal, after joining in 2014.

The 28-year-old was signed by Guardiola for Barcelona from Udinese in 2011 and Sanchez still greatly respects his former manager.

But Manchester City could face an issue over home grown players if they sold Sterling and given he is in his third season at the Etihad, Sterling will feel he still has a point to prove at the club.

Arsenal would want to replace Sanchez, if he left for City, and Sterling would fit the bill.

Reuters

According Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, that would not be on the cards as far as the 2014 Prem winners are concerned.

The reporter tweeted: "Raheem sterling staying at Man City.

"Will not be going to Arsenal as part of any deal involving Alexis Sanchez moving in opposite direction."

EXCLUSIVE NEW CUSTOMER OFFER: BET £5 GET A FER.
[/boxout]

According to reports this morning, Sanchez has also been offered to City's rivals United.

But given Jose Mourinho has just re-signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Red Devils appear to have plenty of back-up in their forward ranks when the Swede gets back to fitness.

Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s LIVE transfer blog