Soccer: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. “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 €50 million, 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.”