Ex-Gunner Perry Groves has warned Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil over their insane wage demands of £250,000-a-week each.
Arsenal are trying to tie the duo down to new deals with their current contracts set to expire in 2018. However, attempts to do so last summer failed with the stars reluctant to commit further than their existing agreement with the club.
Last month Wenger revealed plans to reopen talks but no progress has been made with either player. The recent updates reveal the two are demanding high salaries and Groves claims that Arsenal’s wage structure doesn’t allow the club to meet their massive demands.
“Have Arsenal got the money to spend? Yes they have,” he said speaking to SunSport.
“Will they get the 250 grand a week they are looking for? I don’t think they will get that.”
The north London outfit is keen to keep the players at the Emirates as they attempt to end their Premier League trophy drought of 12 years.
The Gunners have lost key players like Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas in the past, and failing to keep Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will be a blow in the club’s quest to finally challenge regularly for trophies in top-flight competitions.
However, as vital as the two are to Arsenal’s success this season, the former Arsenal man thinks the two have to be realistic to get new contracts.
“They will see that Arsenal are progressing at the moment,” Groves added.
“But where are Sanchez and Ozil going to go? If they leave Arsenal are Manchester City or Barcelona going to buy them? I cannot see that happening. PSG maybe they could get a better financial deal there.
“Sanchez is enjoying his football; and playing well. Ozil was a slow burner but now they are the two big players.
‘They won’t get the money Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pogba are on, that’s not going to happen as the club have a different wage structure. But if they were realistic about their demands then I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t sign new contracts.”
While Arsenal hope Ozil and Sanchez sign new deals, forward Alex Iwobi is set to receive his own contract renewal while the Gunners also hope to tie Hector Bellerin who has attracted interest from both Barcelona and Manchester City.