Former Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has urged his former club to make a move for Alexis Sanchez before their European rivals pounce for the Arsenal forward.

The Chile international grabbed 30 goals and 15 assists for the Gunners last term as they celebrated FA Cup success. Despite this, he is reluctant to prolong his stay beyond next season with the club failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. Manchester City and Chelsea are the other suitors for Sanchez this summer, and it is suggested that the 28-year-old could push for a reunion with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Hitzfeld, who guided the Bavarian giants to five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2001, has given the go-ahead to the club’s pursuit of Sanchez, but feels they must act quickly before his valuation rises furthermore, he told SportBILD: “He is a player in the category that can make Bayern a better team. But it’s important to make decisions as quickly as possible, because the longer you wait the more expensive a player becomes.”

While Sanchez is angling towards a move to Manchester City, the Gunners are likely to prevent such an instance from happening as it would directly enhance their rivals’ chances of lifting the Premier League crown. Wenger has already highlighted that he could keep hold of Sanchez for the final year of his contract as he looks to end the club’s long-wait for the English title. Arsenal have won the FA Cup in three of the last four seasons, but the club will require more than that to please the fans, who are still at odds over Wenger’s decision to extend his contract. Bayern Munich’s chances of signing Sanchez could be enhanced by the presence of Arturo Vidal, who could convince the attacker on international duty.