MESUT OZIL will still be raking in more than £300,000-a-week AFTER accepting Arsenal’s 12.5 per cent pay cut.
The midfielder caused uproar after it emerged that he was revealed as one of three players who have not accepted the club’s proposal to help them financially amid the coronavirus crisis.
The 31-year-old is the Gunners’ highest-earner on a whopping £350k-a-week pay packet and reports claim any wage loss will be repaid in full if the players qualify for the Champions League in the next two seasons.
The ex-Real Madrid star is said to be willing to reduce his salary in the future but only after the financial impact of the pandemic to the game becomes clearer.
Nevertheless, Ozil was labelled a ‘disgrace’ by Piers Morgan, while Gary Neville said the German should have followed his teammates.
Arsenal confirmed yesterday they were the first Premier League club to agree wage cuts with their squad.
Except for the alleged trio, the rest of the players will take a hit of 12.5 per cent until March 2021.
Should Ozil perform a U-turn on his decision and accept the pay cut, he will still be earning £306,250-a-week.
His wages work out at £18.2million a year, which means his income will fall by £2.3m.
But that is still comfortably more than the second highest earner in Arsenal’s squad, with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now set to be on £175k-a-week.
Although this means that the Gunners will be unlikely to be able to offer the Gabon star an increase on the £200,000 he was making before coronavirus as enters the final year of his deal.
Aubameyang’s strike partner Alexandre Lacazette, who has been linked with a move away from Arsenal, is next on the list with renewed earnings of £159,250-a-week.
Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe – £122,500 – and David Luiz – £109,964 – complete the top-five following hits to their respective £140k and £125k wages.
Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut refused to comment after calling for Premier League stars to not accept the pay cut.
Reports claim Arsenal staff will receive 7.5 per cent back if they reach the Europa League.
But will be hit by the full 12.5 per cent if they do not qualify for Europe.
Piers Morgan blasts footballer Mesut Ozil for not accepting Arsenal’s coronavirus pay cut proposal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
