Skip to content

Report: Arsenal willing to sell Ozil if he doesn't lower wage demands

Reuters

Arsenal could be willing to cut bait with midfield magician Mesut Ozil if he doesn't soften his stance on his wage demands, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph.

The German superstar, 28, has been a dominant force for the Gunners since his £42.5-million move from Real Madrid in 2013, and now wants to be paid like one; Law reports that both Ozil and fellow attacking talisman Alexis Sanchez are looking for a £384,000-a-week contract.

The two catalysts have 18 months remaining on their respective deals, and if a new agreement isn't struck, Law claims the north London giant would listen to offers for the left-footed wizard - he cites club sources who view Ozil as more easily replaceable than the Chilean dynamo.

Law explains:

Chelsea are the latest club to join the queue of interested parties monitoring the situation of Sanchez, but it is Ozil who is currently thought to be more expendable if Arsenal are forced to consider cashing in ...

Neither Ozil nor Sanchez would be prepared to earn less than the other at the Emirates. Arsenal could afford to pay £15-million-a-year, £288,000-a-week, to one of them but it is unlikely they would sanction such a big contract for both men.

Reports earlier in the week claimed Ozil and Sanchez were looking for something in the range of Paul Pogba's massive £290,000-a-week wage, but Wednesday's latest is clearly a significant increase on that figure.

Related: Ozil comments open door for Real Madrid return

While it seems unlikely that manager Arsene Wenger would allow either player to leave the Emirates given their influence and continued production - the two have combined for 15 goals and six assists in the Premier League so far this season - Law adds that Borussia Dortmund stud Marco Reus has already been lined up as a potential replacement should new deals for the incumbent stars not be procured.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox