Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has claimed that Mesut Ozil's lucrative contract at the club is proving to be a "major problem" in convincing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay.
Both manager Mikel Arteta and Aubameyang himself have expressed their desire to see the 30-year-old stay at the Emirates Stadium beyond the end of his current deal, which is due to expire next summer.
However, no extension appears to be in pipeline as the two parties continue to wrangle over terms, and Merson believes that Ozil's £300,000-a-week wages have set a precedent which Arsenal cannot afford to keep meeting.
"It would be a major disaster for Arsenal if they lost Aubameyang, however, the decision will be weighed up and at least it will be the club's decision as to what they do. Do they give him £300,000-a-week? I've always said they will have a problem until Mesut Ozil leaves the club," Merson told Sky Sports News.
"Every day he's there, every other top player will want what he's on. It's a huge problem and not a new one. If they want to keep Aubameyang they will have to pay him big money, but Arsenal may look at it and think if we give him £300,000-a-week for the next two or three years, is he going to be the same player?
"He's nearly 31 and by the time he's 34 he's not going to be the same player. I don't care who you are, at 34 you are not the same player. Arsenal may also weigh it up asking if they will win the Premier League or get into the top four in the next few years if they pay Aubameyang £300,000-a-week. They haven't actually done it yet with him there, so they may look at it and say it is good business to let him go.
"There's also the danger of giving him big money, just like they did with Ozil, and then every other player wanting the same. It would take you straight back to the Ozil scenario and if you do spend all that money on him and you don't get into the top four it's not money well spent. It's a really hard decision and it will all come down to how the club weigh it up."
Both Real Madrid and Premier League rivals Manchester United have been credited with an interest in signing Aubameyang this summer.
Barney Corkhill
