Hah, the figure I saw was £350k... with Ozil now prepared to take £280k since no one else wants him.
Probably something to do with the fact he only turns up about half the time.
It's these ridiculous figures being paid out to players that don't deserve it, that make our players stand up and think hang on, I'm better than him, I should be at least on an equal pay grade.
I totally get why our players are being linked here, there and everywhere. It's no doubt the work of the evil orks that are the agents. I also don't begrudge them the idea of leaving to double their wages, it's very easy to be seduced by the kind of figures that get bandied about. Here in lies the problem for us as well, any marquee player that we may get, that player will likely be looking for around the £150k mark, which we would have to pay, coz being a marquee name, other competitors will have no problem giving that player whatever he wants. You look at someone like Barkley, who apparently wants £140k a week, it's stupid money for a player that hasn't done nearly enough to warrant that kind of salary.
Levy whether he likes it or not, is gonna have to set aside a vast amount for increases in salaries over the coming season, in order to keep the current crop, as well as adding quality potential first teamers.
The majority of our first team would command on the open market anywhere between £100-250k a week. Our players clearly love playing for the Poch and all seem like a very tight knit bunch but as Danny Rose said, sometimes players fancy a change and let's face it and regardless of how brilliant we've been over the last few years, they can all win trophies just as easily elsewhere and get a vast pay rise at the same time. It's time Levy stops scrimping and saving and gives these guys what they really deserve, otherwise we'll continue to be the perennial bridesmaids.