Arsenal summer clear-out delayed with players refusing to take pay cuts to join new clubs

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Arsenal's attempted squad clear-out has been delayed by players unwilling to take pay-cuts to leave.

The Gunners are keen to sell a number of players manager Arsene Wenger has deemed surplus to requirements.

But Arsenal are finding difficulty in moving their unwanted stars with prospective buyers reluctant to meet their wage demands.

Jack Wilshere is one of a number of Arsenal players who can leave the club this summer

Arsenal are keen to sell players deemed surplus to requirements by manager Arsene Wenger

The likes of Jack Wilshere, David Ospina, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Lucas Perez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy can all leave the club this summer.

Arsenal stand to slash £19million off their annual wage bill if they can secure deals for their players, with Watford, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Galatasaray among the clubs keen on their fringe stars.

However, the north London club have sold just one first-team player this summer; Wojciech Szczesny - who has spent the last two seasons on loan - leaving for Juventus in a £10million.

Arsenal are desperate to free up cash on their wage bill as well as bolster their transfer kitty ahead of a potential fourth bid for Monaco star Thomas Lemar.

The impasse leaves Arsenal facing the prospect of having to lower their price for the players they are keen to move on.

The clear-out remains a priority for the Gunners this summer and the club are confident they can successfully complete deals for a number of their fringe players.

Wojciech Szczesny left for Juventus but other players are proving more difficult to sell 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are considering a swoop for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

Lemar remains the club’s No 1 priority with the Gunners set to return with a fourth offer for the 21-year-old winger.

But Seri, an Ivory Coast international, is also on Wenger’s radar and is poised to move for the midfielder later in the summer.

Arsenal are keen on Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri and are poised to make a move