The Times says that Arsenal’s negotiations with Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez could cost the club £36 million more than they had originally budgeted for.
Talks are due to reopen after this international break and both stars understood to be asking for £70,000 a week more than the deals first discussed a year ago.
The Times says: Arsenal were unable to make much progress in re-signing their stars last season, with both Özil and Sánchez opting to put the matter on hold to concentrate on their football after Christmas. With the club otherwise engaged during the summer transfer window, it is a failure that is looking increasingly costly.
The collapse of the pound is now a big factor for foreign players and their agents.
When the club began talks with Özil and Sánchez last October, the pound was valued at €1.38 but it’s now 1.13.
If their new contracts include a release clause, Arsenal can pay Sanchez and Ozil a lower salary.
Theo Walcott is Arsenal’s third highest paid player on £120,000 p.w.