Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger insists stars such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil playing with just a year left on contracts is ‘ideal’

ARSENE WENGER is ready to write off up to £125million of talent by letting the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil leave for NOTHING - and incredibly insists it is an "ideal situation".

The Frenchman - whose side won the Emirates Cup on Sunday - came out swinging when quizzed on the reality of having the club's biggest names running down their contracts.

Sanchez, Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are among a group of players with just a year left on their current deals.

But Wenger is adamant players who run their contacts down are more determined to play well and show their worth to earn a new deal - and not necessarily move on.

Asked if he was happy for Ozil to run down his £140,000-a-week deal, Wenger said: "Yes. It is not an issue and I think it's an ideal situation because everyone has to perform.

"It should not change if you have two years or one year left, you go out on the pitch.

"I don't understand, do you really think you sit in the dressing room before a game and you think, 'Oh I have only one year left to go so I will not play well today?'

"Where does this come from? And what has that got to do with the length of your contract?

"And even if it happens that a player leaves it doesn't matter. It looks normal to me and I am amazed you are surprised at that.

"I think in the future you will see this more and more - because transfer fees become so high, but it will happen because nobody will want the pay the amount of money demanded.

"I'm convinced that in the next ten years this will become the usual thing."

Reports claim Chile striker Sanchez will try to force through a move to Manchester City within the next week.

Sanchez was due back at Arsenal on Sunday but posted an Instagram selfie claiming to be sick.

Wenger has since confirmed he has the flu but must deal with a player reportedly desperate to join Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Arsenal have EIGHT players in the final years of their contracts.

They could get £50m for both Sanchez and Ozil and £25m for the Ox - who has even emerged as a shock target for Stoke - this summer.

Arsenal legend Alan Smith claimed it is a "no-brainer"; to sell now.

But Wenger hit back: ";The performance on the day does not depend on the length of the contract.

"If that was the case, we sign everybody for 20 years."

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