In the Times on Thursday morning, there’s an update on Arsenal’s attempts to hold onto Aaron Ramsey.
Ramsey is out of contract with the Gunners in 12 months time. Arsenal are keen to retain the Welsh midfielder, yet the parties are yet to agree on a new deal.
According to the latest reports, Arsenal have tabled an offer to Ramsey. Amid claims that Unai Emery is “eager” to hold onto Ramsey, it’s announced the player have been offered a new five-year contract.
But Ramsey is stalling on signing, and it’s partly Mesut Ozil’s fault.
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The Times singles out German international Mesut Ozil for affecting Arsenal’s negotiations with Ramsey.
Readers are told that Ozil has caused major rifts behind the scenes in north London:
(Arsenal) caved in to Ozil’s wage demands and gave him a new three-and-a-half-year deal worth £350,000 a week.
Ozil’s huge pay-rise created ructions among Arsenal’s players, as The Times revealed in February, and has complicated their attempts to keep their existing squad together due to the pay divide in the dressing room.
The broadsheet warns Arsenal fans that it may be some time before a deal for Ramsey is finalised.