Manchester City plot cut-price Alexis Sanchez in January

League leading Manchester City are ready to make a January move for Alexis Sanchez — but only if they can get him on the cheap.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger effectively tried to start an auction by admitting he could sell Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil in the winter window rather than lose £100m worth of talent for nothing when their contracts expire at season’s end.

Mirror Sport understands Sanchez has made up his mind to move to the Etihad, which leaves City in a strong position.

They failed with a deadline-day £60m offer for the 29-year-old in August and could yet sign him as a free agent, when the player would also get a more lucrative contract.

If City do move for Sanchez in January, it would be for a fraction of the money on offer in the summer.

His value could plummet to as little as £20m with just six months left on his contract.

Sanchez would also not be cup-tied for the Champions League — another attraction for City boss Pep Guardiola, who signed him for Barcelona in 2011.

Gunners chief Wenger appears to have played into City’s hands by admitting the Londoners might have to cut their losses on Sanchez and Ozil rather than lose them on frees.