Arsenal star forward Alexis Sanchez has been told by manager Arsene Wenger to look beyond money when considering a new deal at the club.
The Chilean international has been in impressive form this season scoring 13 goals and has reportedly eyed a staggering new deal worth £200,000 a week.
His form as a first time orthodox centre-forward will suggest he has earned the right to make such high demands, however, Wenger believes Sanchez needs to focus on other important things than money.
"The luxury of the modern game means it should not only be about the money,” said Wenger.
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“Because the players, wherever they play, make good money at this level. I believe, personally — maybe I am a bit naive — that it’s more about getting to meet the player’s needs. The way the club has values, the way the club has ambition, the way the club respects the players.
“For me, that is more important nowadays and an important ingredient for every player to consider. The money is good everywhere,” the manager added.
The former Barcelona forward is a fan favourite and has attracted a lot of interest since blossoming at Udinese in the Italian Serie A, playing alongside Antonio Di Natale.
Arsenal won the race for his signature from Barcelona in 2014 and Wenger has continued to get the best out of him since.
With new contracts for some star players at Arsenal including Hector Bellerin and a proposed closure of negotiations with Mesut Ozil, the persuasion to keep Sanchez shouldn't be difficult. The attacker, however, wants higher wages that will put him at par with other top stars in the Premier League which Wenger refuses to oblige.
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“You know, nowadays, you negotiate with the agents more than with the player. We are in negotiations, yes. The players [Sánchez and Mesut Özil] are 18 months away from the end of their contracts, so it’s normal to be talking. But the players always come in at the end, when it’s a renewal, because with the first contract you need the players present. But after that, when you renew, 90% of the contracts are negotiated with the agents.”
With Arsenal set to play FC Basel on Tuesday, the Frenchman has resisted the temptation to rest his top stars and has drafted them into his squad for the Champions League game. Sanchez and Ozil are among the list of players to travel for the last game in Group A as the Gunners seek to usurp Paris Saint-Germain at the top.
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