Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil look likely to leave Arsenal this summer after Arsene Wenger revealed talks over new contracts for the pair are on hold.
Sanchez has rejected a contract worth £180,000 a week and Ozil is refusing to sign an offer in excess of £200,000 a week. Both have less than 15 months remaining on their existing deals.
Despite the impasse, Wenger had maintained throughout the season that discussions were ongoing, but confirmed Wednesday that further talks will not take place until the end of the season.
‘At the moment we have not got an agreement,’ the Arsenal manager told beIN Sports when asked about Sanchez’s future.
‘We have decided to focus on the end of the season and talk about it in the summer.
‘It is the same situation with Ozil because once you don’t find an agreement and the negotiation lasts, it is not good, so it is better you get it out and sit down in the summer.’
The news will worry Arsenal fans, who fear losing Ozil, the club’s record signing, and Sanchez, their talisman and top scorer this season.
Wenger is reportedly coming round to the idea of selling his star pair at the end of the season due to doubts over their commitment, according to Daily Mail.
Wenger described the ankle injury that led to Sanchez’s substitution during Saturday’s loss at West Brom as ‘terrible’. Yet the forward has been fit enough to join the Chile squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Venezuela.
Ozil was ruled out at the Hawthorns due to a hamstring injury sustained in last Friday’s training session. The Germany midfielder also reported for international duty but was unavailable for Wednesday’s clash against England.
It remains to be seen whether he will play a part in the game against Azerbaijan on Sunday.
The doubts over Sanchez and Ozil have added to the uncertainty engulfing the club in recent weeks.
Wenger’s contract situation is officially unresolved, but the Frenchman, after having second thoughts, has decided he wants to sign the two-year contract on the table.
Wenger has increasingly split the Arsenal fan base in recent years. Two planes flew over the Hawthorns on Saturday carrying conflicting messages — one supporting the manager and the other against a new deal.
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