Arsenal Transfer News: Fresh Mesut Ozil Rumours, Latest on Roberto Firmino

Arsenal may find themselves unable to convince Mesut Ozil to sign a new contract at the club following reports he wants to be level with the Premier League's top earners. Elsewhere, Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has a clause in his contract preventing him from joining the Gunners.

James Olley of the London Evening Standard reported both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez want "parity" with Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who earns a whopping £290,000 per week at Old Trafford.

However, the north Londoners' wage structure means they're unlikely to match such an astronomical figure, which is more than twice the £140,000-a-week wages Ozil—Arsenal's highest-paid player—is paid.

Olley provided quotes from Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger following Saturday's 5-1 drubbing of West Ham United, where both Ozil and Sanchez illustrated their importance to the club by getting on the scoresheet:

The Gunners would be remiss if they were to lose arguably their two most valuable offensive weapons, particularly due to the fact both players are scheduled to see their contracts expire in the summer of 2018.

Olley added Arsenal are only willing to pay the pair as much as £200,000 per week, way short of the £290,000-a-week wages they're said to be seeking. Ozil appears open to an Arsenal future, however, after he took to Twitter on Saturday to celebrate their most recent victory:

A host of Europe's powerhouses would be interested in the Germany star if he were to become available, and Arsenal may be forced to consider a 2017 sale rather than risk losing their talisman for nothing in 18 months' time.

Meanwhile, Belgian newspaper Le Soir (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express) published details from Football Leaks, which reported a clause in Firmino's contract prevents him from moving to Arsenal—not to mention a release clause worth €98 million (£82.7 million).

Kristof Terreur of Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws confirmed the report:

Firmino joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim for a reported fee of £29 million last year, per BBC Sport, and has developed into one of the club's biggest assets after taking his time to acclimate to the Premier League's pace.

Get French Football News transcribed the leak in question, which detailed that while Firmino's release clause was substantial, it might not have prevented the Gunners from launching a move for Liverpool's star:

"

Arsenal cannot buy him for €98m, nor for any higher amount. When he signed his contract with Liverpool on the 1st July 2015, the Brazilian attacking midfielder was burdened with a €98m release clause, which seems a lot. But it is not yet enough to keep distance with rivals Arsenal. The €98m therefore, is only “if the club that is interested is not Arsenal.

"

Although the clause might seem ridiculous to some in principle, Liverpool fans might well be counting their blessings that one major rival is at least prohibited from pinching such a crucial member of their squad.

Nothing is certain at this early stage, but one might be tempted to believe the clause was inserted as a result of the Gunners' rejected 2013 bid for then-Liverpool star Luis Suarez, worth £40 million plus £1, per BBC Sport.

Firmino could still move to north London in the event he signs a new Liverpool contract free of such a stipulation, but after enjoying such swift progress on Merseyside, the Brazilian is unlikely to seek an exit anytime soon.