Sanchez, Ozil Won’t Leave Before Deals End – Wenger

Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of selling Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez next summer if they do not sign new contracts, saying they will remain at Arsenal for the remainder of their current deals.

The star duo have 18 months left on their contracts but are stalling at signing extensions as negotiations over their salaries continue to drag on.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that Arsenal would be willing to listen to offers for Ozil next summer if he does not lower his wage demands, while the Daily Mirror claims Chelsea are lining up a move for Sanchez.

Wenger, however, insisted at his news conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Stoke that neither player is for sale.

“These players have 18 months on their contracts and, no matter what happens, they will stay for 18 months,” Wenger said. “Hopefully they’ll stay for longer than that.”

The Arsenal boss remained tight-lipped about how the negotiations are going with the players, however.

Asked what assurances he could give fans about the duo’s future, Wenger said: “None. That they have 18 months left on their contract and that they are completely committed to doing well as long as they are here.

“Beyond that, we’ll try to extend their contracts but I cannot make that the subject in every news conference because it’s a normal part of every renewal when you renegotiate. The less you talk about it, the better it is.”

Sanchez has reportedly been offered a deal worth £400,000-a-week to play in China — about twice as much as Arsenal are ready to offer.

Wenger said he had no reason to doubt the bid exists, but reiterated that money is not the only factor involved.

“I believe it, yes, why not? But why should you go to China when you’re playing in England today?” the Frenchman said. “We live in a world where great players like Alexis and Ozil earn a lot of money and they have the privilege of choosing where they really want to play.”

Sanchez is having his best season yet for Arsenal after being redeployed as a central striker, with 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions so far. Ozil has also been in great form with eight goals and five assists this term.

If Arsenal do decide to run down their current contracts, it would be costly for both sides.

Arsenal paid more than £75 million for the pair, and even with just one year left on their deals they would probably recoup that money if they decided to sell in next summer’s transfer window. The players, meanwhile, would have to stay on their current salaries for another 18 months, also missing out on millions of pounds in total.

However, Wenger admitted that he is “not the only one who can decide that,” and it remains to be seen if the club’s hierarchy is willing to play hardball.

No matter what happens, Wenger said he is confident that the standoff will not affect the rest of the squad — or the performances of Sanchez and Ozil.

“No, because we are all professionals,” he said. “Eighteen months is a long time in the game and I don’t believe that that is any problem. They have been hugely important [this season].

“You can talk a lot in the news conference but the most important thing is what the players do on the pitch. The commitment of Alexis and Ozil is absolutely total for the team benefit and I’m very pleased with that.

“We are professional football people and people forget many times that the first quality of a professional guy is to give absolutely 100 percent as long as he is somewhere, and not to project yourself on two years. It’s here and now, that’s what it means to be professional — here and now I’m fully committed to the cause and that’s what it’s about.”