Skip to content

Arsenal 'almost amateurish' over transfer dealings, says Jamie Redknapp

Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal speaks to his staff during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield
Image: Arsenal's handling of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil contract situations has been almost amateurish, says Jamie Redknapp

Arsenal's handling of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil's contract situations has been "almost amateurish", according to Jamie Redknapp.

The Gunners' inability to tie their two key players down to new deals at the Emirates has left the duo with a year left to run on their contracts.

As a result, Arsenal have been left with the decision to cash in on Sanchez and Ozil or risk losing them for nothing next summer.

Deadline Day guide
Deadline Day guide

When does window close? Who's on the move?

Manchester City have had a £50m bid for Sanchez rejected, according to Sky sources, but that didn't stop Redknapp issuing a damning assessment of Arsenal's recent dealings.

"Sanchez looks like an unhappy footballer," he told The Debate. "How have Arsenal let a player of his quality get to the last year of his contract?

"That shows you what a mess the club has been in for a while, and the same goes for Ozil. These are players who should be getting tied up on long-term deals.

"Sanchez is the one player in that team who looks like he's got heart. What drives me mad is that they should have done this at the start of the window - do your business and get your recruitment right for the rest of the window.

Also See:

"I just find it incredible, and this is Arsenal we are talking about, that they are doing this, this is almost amateurish.

You have to say this is the beginning of the end for Sanchez. Judging by his performance at Liverpool, I cannot understand how he was playing. He is not in the right frame of mind. He wants to go and has wanted to go for some time now.
Ian Wright

"Forget the contractual situation, when you look at the current market and what players are going for you, £50m for him is cheap.

"But for Arsenal to lose another good player, Arsenal fans must be thinking: 'We've paid for our season ticket, this is a joke, we're losing our best player, the talisman,' the one player you want to turn up and watch."

Sky Sports News understands Arsenal are considering a deal which involves Sanchez heading for Manchester City, with Raheem Sterling going in the opposite direction.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie Redknapp says Raheem Sterling is obviously not what Arsenal need right now.

However, in an interesting twist, due to Sanchez being in the final year of his contract, it is understood the deal would also include Arsenal paying a fee to City as a makeweight.

Redknapp poured cold water on the move though, questioning Sterling suitability for the Gunners.

"Is Sterling worth more than Sanchez?" he added. "No, it's only because of the contractual situation. If you put them in an open market, of course Sanchez is worth more.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie Redknapp and Ian Wright are quizzed on a range of topics, including how much they think they would be worth in today’s transfer market

"But for Arsenal to even want Raheem Sterling - I'm not saying he's not a good player, of course he is - but is he what Arsenal need right now? Of course he's not!

"They have got lots of clever footballers, everyone is so comfortable there, they need a couple powerhouses.

"When I think about teams that Ian Wright played in at Arsenal, powerful boys in midfield and up front. Now I just think they're powder puff, everyone wants to play against Arsenal.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights: Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal

"The weekend against Liverpool, they should just put the score in the corner before it started, because we knew how it was going to end. It's not because Liverpool were my team, you could just see that one team was too quick and powerful, it was just a complete mess."

Around Sky