Arsene Wenger has warned he is not prepared to break Arsenal's wage structure to satisfy Emmanuel Adebayor's demands.
Having signed a new contract with the club last year that is reputedly worth a relatively modest £35,000-a-week, Adebayor's hankering for a move out of North London has been interpreted as a ploy to negotiate an improved deal. However, Wenger remains insistent that the striker will neither be sold nor offered the double-your-pay contract extension he is reputedly seeking.
"I've not met many people who do not believe they have a case to improve their contract," the Arsenal boss observed with one of the quotes of the summer.
"I fight to get the players the maximum wages, but you have to respect that we have a wage structure," Wenger continued.
"I want to keep him and Adebayor is under contract. He is an Arsenal player and I am very confident that he will start the new season with us."
Your Comments
Topline
"forgive and forget lets hope has another superb season so it pushes his price tag up even further then flog him next season anway....only has a 3 year deal and i doubt he will sign again....yep our manger is a very sly man indeed, he said he didnt want him to go in the first place but was ready to listen to offers, come the end of the season Ade will be on the move hopefully for 20 million which is a fair price...."
Morgski
"Club loyalty can exist, if there is something to love at the club (e.g. supporters, good dressing room atmosphere etc.). It doesn't have to be about the money, although those people seem to be a dwindling supply."
toluduro
"fattychin, If you have a $400 u'll definately squander it unecessarily b4 dawn. Arsene is a great coach and has to manage within the resources and budget given him. I really doubt if there are many coaches in the world that will coach arsenal and make them competitive without running the clubs in debts on player wages. ADE is getting better and better and will turn to pure class as long as he is playing in arsenal, but he has a contract and he is not in a strong position to leave the club like hleb. 35K per week was good for him when he signed a contract. He did his job fine. If he fails to perform this season will he pay the club back the increase given him?"
gunnerglory
"Wengers way or the highway, which in this case is the M1"
THFC6061
"What "wage structure" is this then? Henry was on a reported £125,000 a week."
good2bagooner
"EssexLad1985, maybe you'd like to enlighten us (and Wenger) of these better strikers?!?!?!?! Remembering we'd have a budget of around £15ish, must be good in the air, able to play as a target man etc?? I look forward to your response...."
fattychin
"As a manager Wenger is highly paid so where is the wage struture on that? Arsenal is in the big league and in the top 4, so they should be paying top players top wages. Players are not stupid. The players have a future to consider and club loyalty is bullshit like coporate loyalty, non-existent."
goonerking
"...That's Arsene for you through and through. No more comments"
CORTEZ
"I say get rid; take the cash a buy someone who understands before they come that we have a strict wage structure. I Can not believe this was not explained to 'Ade' when we were siging him. "
rosy1999
"Anytime there is any talk of wages with Arsenal, their wage structure is brought up. What is it? Is there a cap on the amount they will pay any player? If so What is it? And does anyone know the financial situations of all these clubs. I know the arse are in debt, I think Man U are. What bout Chelsea, Spurs etc..? I am thinking of taking over a club so would like to know if I can afford any of them. Answers to the questions above would be a great help. Signed Roman"
All comments on this story