FOOTBALL DIGEST

ARSENE WENGER insists he has the Arsenal board’s backing to keep players who will be out of contract next summer, even if it means writing off £200million. The boss is adamant that Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be sold, despite being able to leave for nothing next summer, like Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy. Wenger said: ‘I think all the three will stay. It’s my decision. But the board is behind me. The financial sacrifice is not as heavy as it looks. I am a football manager, I want Sanchez to stay, and that’s it.’ Meanwhile, Valencia are considering a £10m bid for Arsenal defender Gabriel. The Brazilian, signed from Villarreal for £15m two years ago, is way down the pecking order at the Emirates. LEICESTER CITY want £40million from Chelsea for Danny Drinkwater. The 27-year-old signed an improved deal last summer and has four years left on his contract but is keen to join the Premier League champions. Chelsea, who have had one bid rejected already, are set to offer of £25m plus add-ons. That will be rejected but an offer closer to £30m plus add-ons could trigger a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruna have offered to take Diego Costa on loan from Atletico Madrid should they conclude a transfer from Chelsea. Atletico can’t register players until 2018.