Arsenal could be about to secure the contracts of two very important players, but only if the club are willing to match their big demands, they are £250,000 per week, each.
The duo in question are Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, both of whom were stellar signings and have excelled since joining the club. Alexis is now in red hot form, playing as a striker and excelling, keeping Olivier Giroud and new signing Lucas Perez on the bench. He’s in a great position to demand such a high amount because players of his quality are earning that much at rival clubs.
There’s a consensus that Ozil is more likely to sign than Alexis, who appears less content at the clubs lack of serious silverware since the duo’s arrival. Alexis is now in a great position to demand a new big money deal, as he has become the sides more influential player and is spearheading the attack.
A report in the Metro, via The Times suggests that the Gunners had offered both players £180,000 per week, an amount that would be a decent pay rise on their current salaries. But it won’t be enough it seems. £200,000 seems a fair compromise, but it will be interesting to see how far the players push their demands, with several big clubs likely to be willing to meet what they want.
There have been rumours that Ozil has already agreed a new deal at around £200,000 per week, but that Arsenal are waiting for Alexis, who may demand to be the clubs highest earner, to extend his own contract before announcing both together.
With the transfer window closed, these contract extensions are the most important off the pitch activities the club are involved in – the contract extension of Hector Bellerin is another issue. If those trio can be tied down, the Gunners will be in a strong position.