Arsenal transfer news: Marco Reus and Dimitri Payet could replace Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil

All the latest rumours from the Emirates on Tuesday 20 December, 2016

Jack Austin
Tuesday 20 December 2016 04:48 EST
Comments
Ozil and Sanchez both have 18 months left on their existing deals
Ozil and Sanchez both have 18 months left on their existing deals (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal will turn to Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus if they fail to convince either Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil to commit to new deals at the club.

The Gunners are hoping to persuade both players to remain at the Emirates beyond their current deals, which expire in 2018, but are conscious of letting the pair leave for nothing if they allow them to enter the final years of their contracts.

According to the Telegraph, both players are holding out for salaries in excess of £200,000-a-week despite being offered £180,000-a-week by the club and Arsenal are drawing up a contingency plan that involves Reus.

The German is under contract until 2019 with the Bundesliga side but would receive a huge pay rise if he were to come to the Premier League.

Another player linked with a move to the Emirates is West Ham’s Dimitri Payet after the Frenchman admitted playing for Arsene Wenger’s side “could be fun”.

However, he insisted to RMC that he had not had any contact with Arsenal.

"I read that Wenger considers me the missing piece of the Arsenal's game, but he's never told me that!" Payet said.

"We conceded five or six at home against them. When you see them playing, as a technical player, you could only have fun in that team. They're candidates for the title every year."

According to the Express, Arsenal have been given a boost in their annual pursuit of German World Cup winner Julian Draxler.

Draxler has made no secret of his desire to leave the Volkswagen Arena
Draxler has made no secret of his desire to leave the Volkswagen Arena (Getty)

They report that the Gunners are willing to part with £30m to secure the winger’s services after rivals for his signature Juventus pulled out of a deal after not wanting to upset relations between the two clubs.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in