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Report: Anthony Martial, David De Gea Contracts Hampered by Alexis Sanchez Wages
November 4, 2018
Manchester United are reportedly finding it difficult to secure the likes of Anthony Martial and David De Gea on new contracts, as their agents are pointing to Alexis Sanchez's wages to demand higher salaries.
According to the Mirror's Simon Mullock, Sanchez earns £400,000 per week as well as an appearance bonus of £75,000. As a result, his team-mates are holding out for bumper wage packets of their own.
It's said De Gea currently receives £175,000 per week and is hoping a new contract will see him take home £300,000, while Martial has yet to agree to an offer of £140,000 per week despite that figure being twice his current wage.
Both players are in the final 12 months of their contracts at Old Trafford, though United can exercise the options to extend them by another year.
Football writer Liam Canning wants United to keep both players:
Liam Canning @LiamPaulCanningI'd like to see Manchester United do everything within their power to keep David de Gea, but likewise, he deserves to genuinely be challenging for the very top honours. Has done more than enough for the club. Would be gutted but no one should hold it against him if he does leave.
Indeed, De Gea has firmly established himself among the best goalkeepers in world football, so it's vital United do their utmost to keep him.
Tying him down is an even more pressing need given the Red Devils' defensive struggles. United have shipped 18 goals in 11 Premier League matches this term, keeping just one clean sheet.
Without De Gea's excellent goalkeeping to bail the team out, they'd have conceded even more.
The Spaniard is an expert at pulling off some stunning saves:
What's more, his status as one of the world's best in his position perhaps does warrant a premium pay packet, so United may have to be more forthcoming in meeting his demands.
As for Martial, he hasn't quite hit the heights expected of him yet and has had issues with consistency.
He is, however, doing his best to earn a new deal with some sparkling form in recent weeks:
Given United have offered to double his wages, they could hardly be accused of not doing their part in trying to secure his signature.
They can ill afford to lose such a valuable asset, however, particularly on a free transfer—if Martial wants significantly more than they've already offered, they'll have a difficult decision to make on his future.