Arsene Wenger faced the media shortly after arriving in Basel for Tuesday night’s Champions League game - and he fielded questions on Alexis.
The boss was asked about our leading scorer’s future and this is what he said:
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on contracts and money…
Well, I would like to say the luxury of the modern game should be that it's not only about the money, because the players make anyway wherever they play good money at this level. I believe, personally… maybe I am a bit naïve, but it's more about getting to meet the players' needs. That's about the way the club has values, the way the club has ambition, the way the club respects the players. So I think, for me, that is more important nowadays and an important ingredient for every player to consider. The money is good everywhere for everybody.
on the negotiating process…
Nowadays, you negotiate with the agents more than with the player. We are in negotiations, yes. The players are 18 months away from the end of their contracts, so it's normal. But the players always come in at the end, when it's a renewal. With the first contract you need the players, but after that, when you renew, 90% of the contracts are negotiated with the agents.
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