Arsenal legend Paul Merson has admitted that the Premier League side might have to pay Mesut Ozil just to leave the club.
Ozil, who arrived at the Emirates in 2013 and has struggled for game time under head coach and former team-mate Mikel Arteta, is on substantial wages, with his existing deal keeping him in north London until 2021.
And Merson feels that the German is simply sapping the club’s resources given his lack of playing time.
“There’s Mesut Ozil’s wages to get off the books,” the former Arsenal midfielder told the Daily Star.
“They might end up having to pay him just to leave. And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang needs a new contract that won’t come cheap. He’s already in his 30s, but Arsenal can’t afford to lose him.
“That’s a lot of money gone already, and I know Arsenal, I played there – Arsenal don’t gamble with their money.”
The transfer window opens on 27 July, but it is unclear what kind of a budget – if any – Arteta will be given to work with.
“They don’t take big risks in the transfer market, it’s not their way,” Merson said of Arsenal. “Arteta must know that, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get, I suppose.”
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals this evening, as Arteta comes up against Pep Guardiola, under whom he worked as assistant coach at the Eithad before assuming his current role at Arsenal last year.
