Arsenal Transfer News: Huge Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil Contract Demands Reported

Arsenal duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are each reportedly requesting a whopping £250,000 per week to sign a new contract with the club.

According to Matt Hughes of the Times (h/t Jack de Menezes of The Independent), their demands have been inflated as the result of the Brexit referendum in June, which saw the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union, and the economic consequences.

“When talks originally began last October, the pound was valued at €1.38, while its post-Brexit vote value has reduced to €1.13,” De Menezes said. The report states Arsenal’s inability to get both players to commit in the summer could cost them around £36 million in the long run.

Hughes reported the expected salary as part of any extension is £70,000 per week more for each player than what was discussed in preliminary talks.

Per the report, Arsenal are seeking to get the two key players to sign new contracts at the club, with both of their deals set to expire in 2018.

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De Menezes also added the Gunners want to tie down midfielder Santi Cazorla to a new contract. The Spain international has less than a year to run on his current deal.

They’re all such important parts of Arsene Wenger’s side at the Emirates Stadium, and supporters will be desperate to see each commit their future to Arsenal. Both Ozil and Sanchez have enjoyed strong starts to the season, with the latter excelling at the point of the attack.

Per Michael Cox of the Guardian, there seems to be a fine understanding between the two stars when occupying these roles:

According to De Menezes, Ozil is more likely to sign on than Sanchez. The Germany international is said to be happy with life in London and content with how the team is moving forward under Wenger. He’s said to be Arsenal’s highest-paid player, too, raking in £140,000 every week.

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Sanchez is said to earn £10,000 short of that amount, although it’s noted in the piece that neither player is close to being the top earner in the Premier League. That accolade belongs to Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney who takes home a cool £260,000 per week, while Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero earns £240,000 every seven days.

Although the demands from the duo will be costly to the Gunners, it’s important they keep both on the books. Ozil is one of the most gifted creators in the game, while Sanchez’s blend of versatility, incision and appetite for the game is unmatched in the Premier League.

Squawka Football summed up just how important the Chile international has been for Wenger’s side in 2016-17:

Given the current economic climate, you sense a lot of football clubs will find themselves in this kind of situation when it comes to negotiating new deals for players. And Arsenal, should they want to keep their prize assets will most likely pay up. After all, such is the talent of Ozil and Sanchez, if they don’t shell out that kind of capital, someone else will.

Both players will feel as though they’ve done enough to be among the division’s top earners, though. Ozil and Sanchez have turned in consistently brilliant performances since arriving in north London, and following a summer of savvy recruitment from Arsenal, the platform finally looks to be in place for them to fire the Gunners to major honours this term.