Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne says he would welcome the potential arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez has been strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal in the January transfer window. Credit: PA

Kevin De Bruyne believes Alexis Sanchez would be a welcome addition to the Manchester City squad.

The Premier League leaders have been heavily linked with a January move for the Arsenal forward.

There were suggestions in December that City, who have long been interested in Sanchez, would prefer to wait until the Chile international comes out of contract in the summer.

But an injury to striker Gabriel Jesus has since sparked rumours a deal could be done sooner.

City have not commented on whether this might happen but midfielder De Bruyne at least appears confident Sanchez will become a City player sooner or later.

De Bruyne said: "(He is) a very good player. Obviously, we will see what happens in this transfer period.

"If a good player comes to us that is better, if he doesn't come we do it with the team we have. We are on a good period already - the whole season. Everybody is doing a good job.

"When he comes he will add something to the team."

De Bruyne was speaking after City were given a stern test by Championship side Bristol City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Sanchez has reportedly fallen out with a number of Arsenal players including Jack Wilshere. Credit: PA

Pep Guardiola's side needed a late Sergio Aguero winner to claim a 2-1 advantage ahead of the return clash at Ashton Gate after De Bruyne had cancelled out a Bobby Reid penalty.

"They played good," said De Bruyne of the Robins. "They came here to play and that was nice.

"I don't think they had a lot of chances but they created some problems in the first half. I think we kept on playing and in the end I think we deserved to win it.

"We missed too many chances but obviously it was very good to score the second one."

City, who are 15 points clear at the summit, return to Premier League action with a tough trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne's second half goal drew his side level with Bristol City in the EFL Cup semi-final first-leg. Credit: PA

De Bruyne hopes to get some time to rest before the trip to Anfield.

The Belgian said: "We have five days, that will be good. It has been a tough period for four months now. Our Christmas period is four months already!

"It will be nice to have five days and then almost a week before Newcastle to get a little bit of recovery."

City have not won at Anfield since 2003.

"We don't care about that," De Bruyne. "It is just the way football goes. We go there to win the game.

"They will have a very strong team, they want to be there for the Champions League, but we just try to do the things we do good and then we will see what happens."

The club are thought to be close to agreeing a new contract with De Bruyne but the player insists there is no rush.

The 26-year-old said: "We are still in negotiations. I am waiting for an offer from the club but my agent has been on holiday for three weeks. There is nothing really new for the moment.

"I'm not in a hurry. I still have three-and-a-half years on the contract."