Arsenal star rejects 12.5 per cent pay cut amid coronavirus shutdown

Mesut Ozil has refused to take a 12.5 percent pay cut at Arsenal.

The midfielder, 31, is the highest-paid player at the Emirates on a whopping £350,000-per-week.

Arsenal confirmed on Monday that the first-team squad and Mikel Arteta will take a cut due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But Ozil has not accepted the agreement as he did not want to rush into a decision.

Ozil’s wages work out at £18.2m a year, which means his income will fall by £2.3m.

Arsenal are likely to continue talks are set to continue with Ozil.

The German is one of three stars who have decided against taking the pay cut.

It is understood that Ozil wants to see the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic before he parts with his wages.

He has made it clear he may be willing to do it in the future and has respect for the decisions made by his team-mates.

It is thought the former Real Madrid star is open to deferring even more than the 12.5 per cent pay cut that has been agreed.

Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut refused to comment after calling for Premier League stars to not accept the pay cut.

He said: “I wouldn’t recommend agreeing a cut today because I don’t know tomorrow if the league will be played, if clubs will get TV and sponsorship money.

“What the exact financial impact is on the clubs, we can see three to six months later – but we can’t see it today.

“Deferral is an option but not to agree a cut today when the clubs may still make the same profit as last year.

“When politicians tell players to do their part, it’s a distraction because they can’t even protect NHS staff.

“It’s east to target these ‘greedy’ Premier League players – but many players do so much for charity.”

According to reports, Arsenal will repay the 12.5 per cent losses back to the players in full if they qualify for the Champions League in the next two seasons.

But will be hit by the full 12.5 per cent if they do not qualify for Europe.

The club statement said: “We are pleased to announce that we have reached a voluntary agreement with our first-team players, head coach and core coaching staff to help support the club at this critical time.

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“The move follows positive and constructive discussions. In these conversations there has been a clear appreciation of the gravity of the current situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and a strong desire for players and staff to show their backing for the Arsenal family.”