Arsenal are set to become the first Premier League club to agree a significant wage cut with their players, in a potentially milestone development for the top flight.
The Gunners squad are close to agreeing a 12.5 per cent cut over 12 months to March 2021, which is thought to include substantial Champions League bonuses.
The players are expected to be fully reimbursed if they qualify for the Champions League in the next two campaigns and earn a £100,000 bonus each if they reach next season’s competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side are five points adrift of fifth place, which could be enough for a Champions League spot next term, with 10 games remaining, while cuts will be reduced to 7.5 per cent if they qualify for the Europa League.
The squad rejected a similar proposal on Monday, but the potential breakthrough comes after an intervention by Arteta, who appealed to his players on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the club revealed all 14 executives had agreed to a one-third pay cut over 12 months, further increasing pressure on the players.
The likely success of Arsenal’s proposal — which reportedly includes a £500,000 per player bonus if they win the Champions League in 2021 or £100,000 each if they win the Europa League — will increase the heat on footballers elsewhere in the top flight to agree terms and potentially pave the way for a raft of agreements before April pay-day. The move also comes as a blow to the players’ union, the PFA, who have advised players not to accept wage cuts.
West Ham and Southampton are the only clubs to have so far agreed temporary wage deferrals with their squads.
