Paper Talk: Kimmich hints at Bayern exit; Arsenal stars want parity

Rob McCarthy
Alexis Sanchez & Mesut Ozil: Reportedly want pay hikes

Two Arsenal stars are demanding a huge pay rise this summer, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are on alert for a versatile Bayern Munich man, according to Monday’s papers.

 

ARSENAL DUO DEMAND HUGE PAY RISE

Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are demanding wages in line with Paul Pogba’s £290,000-a-week salary at Manchester United.

Ozil, who is out of contract in the summer of 2018, has insisted that his decision to stay will not depend on whether Arsene Wenger extends his own contract at the Emirates.

But the London Evening Standard claims that Ozil and Sanchez, who has had his own issues with Wenger and his Arsenal team-mates in recent weeks, want to match the incredible wage handed out to Pogba at Old Trafford.

Ozil, 28, is currently earning £140,000 per week, while Sanchez is believed to be on £130,000 and this news is sure to upset loyal Gunners fans, particularly regarding Ozil whose commitment to the club has been questioned at times.

 

MAN CITY ON ALERT FOR BAYERN STAR

Manchester City are reportedly on red alert after Joshua Kimmich expressed his frustration with his role at Bayern Munich.

City boss Guardiola is looking to continue his overhaul of the club this summer and is looking for defensive and midfield recruitments.

Kimmich is a player that Guradiola once claimed had “got absolutely everything” to be a world star, but the 22-year-old has found his playing time under Carlo Ancelotti to be limited in recent weeks and the Daily Mirror claims that City could be ready to swoop for the former RB Leipzig star.

Kimmich has played only 42 minutes in Bayern’s last five games and completed 90 minutes only twice – in all competitions – since late October.

“It does not matter whether I understand it or not,” said Kimmich when asked about his lack of playing time. “The fact is I’m not satisfied with it and I want to change it.

“The coach knows I can play as a number six and at right-back, also in the centre of defence. From that he has many options to use me.

“I know my weaknesses and work on them – especially when I’m not playing, I try to do more. In the Bundesliga we have a good lead now and maybe [the team] will be rotated.”

 

AND THE REST

Bayern Munich could make a surprise move to end Granit Xhaka’s disappointing spell at Arsenal (The Sun)

Toby Alderweireld is close to sealing a new contract with Tottenham – with the deal also dropping his £25million release clause (The Sun)

Arsenal and Chelsea are set to battle it out for Wolves’ £20m-rated winger Helder Costa (The Sun)

West Ham have triggered an option to keep goalkeeper Adrian at the club (The Sun)

West Ham are planning to sell striker Andy Carroll in the summer – and replace him with Liverpool’s injury-plagued frontman Daniel Sturridge (Daily Star)

Tottenham striker Harry Kane is facing a battle to play again this season after being injured against Millwall (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are hopeful of completing deals for wonderkids Billy Gilmour and Daishawn Redan (Daily Mirror)

Derby will target Gary Rowett to replace sacked Steve McClaren at the floundering Championship club (Daily Mirror)

Jack Wilshere is not thinking about his Arsenal future and is only focusing on keeping loan side Bournemouth in the Premier League (Daily Mirror)

Pep Guardiola believes Yaya Toure will have his pick of the big clubs this summer (Daily Mirror)

Norwich want to interview Gary Rowett for vacant manager’s position – but Alan Pardew also hopes to be considered for the role (Daily Mirror)

Mesut Ozil has handed Arsenal a timely boost by suggesting he could still remain in north London even if Arsene Wenger decides to leave (Daily Mail)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has assured the club’s supporters that he doesn’t have to balance the books in the next transfer window (Daily Mail)

Jack Wilshere says he has no clue whether he will be with Arsenal, Bournemouth or another club next season (Daily Mail)

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, 25, once a confirmed target for Arsenal, is interesting Atletico Madrid (Marca)

Premier League strugglers Sunderland are interested in signing Germany-born Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan (Sunderland Echo)
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