Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger struggling to offload players due to wage demands
Gunners boss needs a summer clear-out in order to fund moves for targets like Thomas Lemar
ARSENAL’S bid to bring in new players is being held up as they cannot get fringe players off their wage bill.
Arsene Wenger is hoping a summer clear-out of unwanted squad members will free up funds to pursue the likes of Thomas Lemar.
Jack Wilshere, David Ospina, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Lucas Perez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy could all leave for the right fee.
But with potential suitors struggling to offer suitable contracts, Wenger may be forced to drop his asking price.
So far only Wojciech Szczesny has been offloaded after Juventus splashed out £10million on the unwanted stopper.
The claims the Gunners can shed £19m off their annual wage bill if they axe the rest of their flops.
And that would allow Wenger plenty of spare cash to follow up the club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette.
With Monaco playing hardball over Lemar, Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri has emerged as an alternative target.
The 25-year-old turned heads last season – scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in Ligue 1.
Seri was a key player for Nice last term as he helped them mount a surprise challenge for the league title.
But the Ivorian insists he will not quit the Ligue 1 outfit unless he is guaranteed first-team football next season.
He said: “There are a lot of clubs that follow me. But there is nothing done.
“If I leave, it will be to join a club where there is a real desire to play football as in Nice.”
