Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil Futures Linked in Rumours

The lack of interest in Mesut Ozil could prompt Arsenal to cash in on Alexis Sanchez in January to avoid losing both players for free next summer.

According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star, the Gunners are open to selling one of the pair this winter and that looks increasingly likely to be Sanchez as "there is no firm interest" in his team-mate, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain expected to bid in the region of £20 million for the Chilean.

Ozil would then either stay at Arsenal or leave for free in the summer, becoming a more attractive proposition to the likes of Inter Milan and Manchester United.

The German is said to want a weekly salary of £350,000, a wage packet he may struggle to receive anywhere, but one that would be more palatable for suitors if they are otherwise snapping him up for nothing.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently said it's possible both players could leave in January, per James Olley of the Evening Standard:

That seems the unlikeliest scenario, though, as Wenger would be reluctant to sign off on the moves if suitable replacements—which will be hard to come by in January—aren't already lined up.

The Gunners struggled without their stars as they lost 2-1 to Watford on Saturday, per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen:

Sanchez was rested, while Ozil came off the bench only to prove a disappointment, as he wasted a gilt-edged chance by firing straight at Hornets stopper Heurelho Gomes.

Bleacher Report's James McNicholas was critical of the playmaker:

There's no escaping that losing one or both would be a significant blow to the Gunners, who inspire relatively little confidence that either would be replaced by a player of a similar calibre.

There could be some merit to separating the blows of their departures and at least recouping something, but Arsenal will need to be careful they don't jeopardise the remainder of their campaign.

Should they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for a second year running, attracting marquee replacements could be more challenging.