Manchester City pull out of Alexis Sanchez transfer race

Sanchez had appeared bound for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, according to coach Roberto Mancini.

The Chile international is a target of Barcelona and is under contract with Udinese until June 2014.

"I have spoken to Sanchez," said Mancini to Sky Italia. "He said he was open to the idea of coming to City but then we have pulled out (of negotiations).

"After our last offer, we are out of the race to acquire the Chilean player."

Udinese, meanwhile, confirmed the 22-year-old winger would prefer a move to Spain rather than England.

."Have City pulled out of the race?," Gino Pozzo, son of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo, said to Corriere dello Sport. "You should ask them. We have not entered negotiations with City.

"The will of the player is to go to Barcelona. The negotiations with the Catalan club are going forward.

"With calmness, we will find a solution. We will speak to Barca and we will see."

Pozzo has not ruled out the possibility that Sanchez, who is valued at 50million euros (£44.95million), could remain at Udinese for a further season.

"He (Sanchez) said it yesterday and we have reiterated it in the past," Pozzo said."It is an option."

Meanwhile, Mancini is confident Carlos Tevez will remain at the club next season despite the Argentina forward recently expressing his desire to leave the club.

Tevez, who played a pivotal role in the Eastlands club winning the FA Cup and securing a top-four Premier League finish, has been strongly linked with a move to Italy this summer.

"Tevez is a good player," Mancini added. "I believe he will remain with us."

The 27-year-old is under contract with City until June 2014 and is a reported target of Inter Milan.