Arsenal are fighting to keep hold of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. The Chilean and German, whose contracts expire next summer, are the club’s two biggest names – and conjurers of magic moments – hence the urgency to agree on new deals.
The Gunners are ready to spend big in order to tie down the attacker and playmaker with extensions by offering them bumper new salaries. However, that could see the north London outfit breach a Premier League financial rule.
The Premier League’s short term cost control (STCC) rule prohibits teams from surpassing a increase in total salaries each season. The new deals Arsenal are offering Alexis Sanchez and Ozil alone would go beyond that limit.
The former Barca man earns £130,000 per week; the ex-Real Madrid star £140,000; but their total wage raise would total £15m per year – £280,000-per-week each.
Premier League clubs are permitted to surpass the £7m mark if it is covered by increased commercial or matchday revenue, or player sales. Arsenal’s failure to make the Champions League means increased commercial or matchday revenue is unlikely.
The only way for Wenger to balance the books is by selling a few of his current players. Three first-team player who has been linked with transfers and can raise substantial fees are Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Hector Bellerin, and Olivier Giroud.
The Englishman excelled in the second half of the season and has thus attracted interest from Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool. The Spanish right-back highly sought after by Barca and their French striker has been the target of interest from Marseille.
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