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Cape Town - Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has played down suggestions that the Premier League champions are in the race to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal this month.
The Gunners are open to cashing in on the Chile international before his contract runs out at the end of the season, having turned down offers to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Sanchez came close to joining Manchester City during the off-season transfer window, and the league leaders had rekindled their interest at the turn of the year.
But City called off their pursuit of the 29-year-old forward on Monday before it emerged that the Blues were reportedly rivalling Manchester United for his signature.
Conte, though, is unsure if Sanchez is a target for the west London club, who have failed to score in their last three games which all resulted in goalless draws.
Asked in his pre-match press conference for Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay with Norwich whether they were looking to do a deal for Sanchez, he said: "I don't know. I don't think so, I don't know but I don't think so.
"The transfer market, as you know, I refer you to the club. I don't want to give my opinion about the transfer market."
