Wenger warns Alexis: I don’t have to sell

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Alexis Sanchez that he is under no obligation to offload any of his players this summer.

Sanchez has so far refused to extend his contract with the Gunners beyond June 2018 and has been heavily linked with a move away from the club. 

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The Frenchman, though, has hinted that he might refuse to sanction a deal to see the player, who has been associated with Manchester City, Barcelona and PSG, leave the Emirates.

“The board back me to make the decisions on the technical front. Is that comings and goings? That is technical,” he said.

Wenger, who finds himself in a similar position with Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Mesut Ozil and Mohamed Elneny, believes this situation will become increasingly common.

“I warn you that you are going to see that more and more. It will become common for one single reason: the inflation rate is so high on wages and the agent will speculate on high wages three or four years before the end of a contract,” he explained.

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“The clubs are not in a position where they can afford to do it. Will clubs be interested in running down contracts? Yes.

“With the amount of transfers, you buy just normal players for £50m. The clubs do not want to pay this for normal players. They will want to wait until the player is free.”