Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger continues to insist that the club would not release star player Alexis Sanchez this summer.
The player has less than a year left on his current deal and the contract renewal standoff has been frustrating for the north London side.
Wenger says the 28-year old Chile international would run down his deal than join rivals like Manchester City or Chelsea. The player is expected to remain with the club all through the season and move on for free next year. He would likely sign pre-contract with Etihad from January, ahead of the move. He missed pre-season as he had to sort out his future plans and then reported abdomen issues has sidelined him from the team but he is set to make a return soon.
Arsenal posted a picture of another disgruntled player MesutOzil on their social media platform, prompting talks that the German might finally sign a contract extension. Ozil is set to receive up to £280,000 per week in the new deal, making him one of the highest paid players in the league.
Arsenal are also struggling to retain Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Chelsea have stepped up as heavy favourites in the last weeks of the transfer window. The England international has been playing impressively in the last few games but it is not sure if he would stay back for the season.
The Gunners seem to have slowed down their interest in Monaco winger Thomas Lemar so Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott could get more game time this season, depending on game strategies. If Oxlade-Chamberlain is assured of his spot and gets more money, Arsenal would likely retain him. Nothing is sure for now.
“We always wanted to keep Sanchez and we always hope, even now, that we can extend the contracts of Sanchez, Chamberlain and Ozil,” Wenger said.