Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil won't be distracted by January transfer window, says Arsene Wenger
Both star players are in the final six months of their contracts and neither is showing any inclination to sign a new one
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.Arsene Wenger insists that he has “no concerns” over the focus of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil as they approach the January transfer window.
Both star players are in the final six months of their contracts and neither is showing any inclination to sign a new one. That gives Arsenal a hard choice between cashing in after Christmas or seeing their best players leave for free in the summer. Manchester City are weighing up going back for Sanchez – they nearly signed him on deadline day – while Barcelona are keen on Ozil.
Those circumstances could easily distract the pair, but Wenger struck a typically optimistic note when discussing the issue on Thursday night in Cologne. While he admitted that he cannot stop the players’ representatives from negotiating with other teams, he said he had no concerns about their application or motivation, with his team heading to Burnley for a Premier League match on Sunday.
“I have no concerns about them, I am more concerned about the team performance,” Wenger said. “They want to turn up and put in good performances. I am more concerned that the team focuses on strong performances.”
Wenger used to say he believed Ozil and Sanchez would stay beyond this season, but now he admits he does not know what will happen, although he does not hold that against the pair. “They are honest,” he said. “I don’t question their honesty. Nobody knows what will happen when the players reach the end of their contracts. Our worry is to perform on Sunday, that is it.”
Wenger insisted that the players’ immediate priority is still playing well for Arsenal, regardless of what happens next. “They are like I am, they focus on the next game, and deal with the rest later,” he said. When asked whether he could stop Ozil’s representatives negotiating a move to Barcelona, Wenger said no. “What kind of control can I have other that? All these people have agents who can talk to anybody. That doesn’t disturb people, that happens all through their career.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments