Arsenal transfer news: Marco Reus and Antoine Griezmann preferred by Arsene Wenger as replacements if Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil
ARSENE WENGER would prefer Marco Reus and Anotine Griezmann to replace Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez if the rebel pair fail to agree new contracts.
The Arsenal boss is sweating on Ozil and Sanchez, with the club questioning whether or not they can afford to pay their star players.
Wenger has promised that the days of players leaving a year before their contracts expire are over.
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Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri were two Gunners stars to leave the club with a year to go, when they left for Manchester United and City respectively in 2012.
But with this latest standoff it makes it look like business as usual.
According to Squawka, Wenger is becoming increasingly uneasy that the pair could de-rail the Gunners' title ambitions if they continue to drag out their demands.
Wenger briefly met Griezmann at the European Championships last summer - but the France striker has been tipped for a move to Manchester United.
And if United offer the Atletico Madrid star top dollar there is little Arsenal can do to compete with United's deep pockets, as Jose Mourinho a keen admirer.
Sanchez and Ozil are reportedly asking for a weekly salary in excess of £300,000 a week, with the pair's agents having cobbled together to compare notes over any meetings they have with Ivan Gazidis and the club's board.
Reus, meanwhile, remains a realistic target for Wenger, should the club secure Champions League football next season, as is expected.
The 27-year-old would also make a like-for-like replacement for Ozil, having been Borussia Dortmund's star midfielder since arriving at the Westfalenstadion.
Arsenal face West Brom on Boxing Day, hoping to stay in touch with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race, especially after their 2-1 defeat to City last weekend.