GUNS NEED MKHI TAKER
Arsenal want to get Armenian star’s £180k-a-week deal off the wage bill
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN’S Arsenal future is in doubt. The Gunners wamt to offload the Armenian – as well as Mesut Ozil this summer – as they try to reduce their huge wage bill. Attacking midfielder Mkhitaryan, 30, is one of Arsenal’s highest earners on £180,000 per week.
But, as he feels about £350,000-a-week World Cup winner Ozil, boss Unai Emery believes Mkhitaryan’s salary could be better spent elsewhere. Arsenal’s finances are strained and their wage bill inflated. Emery was restricted to loan signings in the January window and could start the summer with a transfer budget of just £45million if the Gunners fail to make the Champions League.
The confirmed departure of Aaron Ramsey to Juventus, Petr Cech’s retirement and Danny Welbeck’s likely release will help. But finding buyers for Mkhitaryan and Ozil will go a long way to easing the financial burden. Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal in the January swap deal that saw ARSENAL came from a goal down to beat Al-Nasr and end their Dubai trip with a win.
Ronnie Fernandez gave the hosts a shock lead, but the tourists levelled through Carl Jenkinson.
Alexandre Lacazette (left) then put Unai Emery’s men in front in the second half before young sub Tyreece John-Jules hit the Gunners’ third goal. Al-Nasr got a late consolation penalty from Khalid Jalal to make it 3-2. Alexis Sanchez head to Manchester United.
But neither player has lived up to expectations – Sanchez being a bigger disappointment than Mkhitaryan – and both clubs are keen to move on the attackers.
Despite the size of his budget, Emery is targeting up to four signings this summer, with a leftsided winger his priority. Celtic’s Kieran Tierney is in his sights.
Central defence and central attacking midfield are other positions that the Emirates chief is keen to strengthen.
But Emery’s chances of signing £43m-rated Italy star Nicolo Barella could depend on whether Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.
The Cagliari midfielder scored his first goal for his country against Finland on Saturday and is seen as a replacement for Ramsey.
But the 22-year-old’s asking price could be a big problem.
Arsenal hope to boost their finances by offloading Mohamed Elneny, Calum Chambers and Shkodran Mustafi.
Arsenal signed Denis Suarez, 25, on loan from Barcelona in January, but he has failed to impress and the club are unlikely to take up their option to make it permanent.