Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez will not be sold in this summer’s transfer window.
The Frenchman also remains optimistic of extending the contracts of the pair alongside Mesut Ozil, who could all potentially leave on a free transfer in a year’s time.
In an interview with BeIN Sports h/t The Mirror, Wenger said: “We always hope, even now, that we can extend the contracts of Sanchez, Chamberlain and [Mesut] Ozil.”
Wenger has previously failed to live up to his word with players departing just weeks after his assurance, and he was asked whether he will stand by his promise this summer, to which he replied: “Yes, of course! I think it looks unusual to the media sometimes that clubs want the contract to be respected.
“I am amazed that you are amazed because it’s normal that if I sign a contract and I respect it. Of course, if the club releases me it is normal that I know I can go somewhere else but I signed for two years with Arsenal and I have that contract and I have to respect it.”
Sanchez has been linked with a potential £60m move to Manchester City in recent days with Oxlade-Chamberlain is also a £35m target for Chelsea, but it appears Wenger is determined to keep his key players for once with the risk of losing them for nothing next season.
The next fortnight will give a clear indication on the players’ futures with Wenger prepared to offload his fringe players in order to reduce the burden of the financial loss which is likely to be made this summer.
