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Udinese owner Gianpaolo Pozzo claims Manchester City are in pole position to capture winger Alexis Sanchez.

Last week it had seemed that the Eastlands club has lost out in the race to sign the Chilean winger to Catalan giants Barcelona.

Udinese, though, believe City are the side who are closest to offering a deal which is acceptable for highly touted 22-year-old starlet.

Currently, the Manchester club are unwilling to meet the valuation of £44million on Sanchez with blues boss Roberto Mancini hoping to make a deal in the region of £30million.

The Serie A club are prepared to be tough in the transfer window to ensure that they get the best possible deal, but the Udinese owner concedes that there is little they can do if City present an acceptable offer.

Pozzo said: "If he was to leave, I would say that City have the highest probability of success."

If City make an offer, they will conclude the negotiations before Sanchez starts his first game for Chile at the Copa America on 4 July.