£12m Arsenal defensive target moves step closer to exit after being dropped by Man City boss Pep Guardiola

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 15 : Jason Denayer of Celtic heads wide during the Scottish League Cup Final between Dundee United and Celtic at Hamden Park on March 15, 2015 in Glasgow Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola did not include Jason Denayer in his match-day squad in the 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

Denayer has been linked with a City exit over the transfer window period after falling down the pecking order in defence following the transfer of John Stones from Everton.

Guardiola decided to pick Kolarov – who was until recently favourite for a summer exit – ahead of Denayer as his first-choice centre-back against the Black Cats.

Denayer has had no shortage of suitors with manager Arsene Wenger linked with a late move for the Belgium international following the injury crisis he is facing in defence according to The Sun.

The Gunners were without Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel in their first league game of the season which they ended up losing 3-1 against Liverpool at the Emirates.

The North London based outfit will face stiff competition from Galatasaray who want Denayer on loan as confirmed by club sporting director Levent Nazifoglu.

Sporting director Levent Nazifoglu told Turkish-football.com: “Denayer settled in well last season and we want him back but it all now depends on what he says and what Manchester City decide.

“We want him and so does the manager and City know this.”

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