Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil want £350,000-a-week contracts to stay at Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have joined forces to try to squeeze mega-deals out of Arsenal.

The Gunners’ two biggest stars are entering the final year of their contracts, and both want in excess of £350,000 per week to make a further commitment.

Both players currently earn £140,000-a-week and are believed to have kept a close eye on the other’s negotiations.

Striker Sanchez, 28, has indicated to the club he will stay for the final 12 months, although Bayern Munich and Manchester City are keen on him.

Midfielder Ozil, meanwhile, has been offered £280,000-a-week, but the Germany midfielder is refusing to sign and holding out for £350,000.

Both players know if they wait another year Arsenal will be faced with the prospect of letting them go for free on Bosmans and having to pay huge transfer fees and wages to replace them, or entice the pair to stay with massive contracts.

Ozil, also 28, cost a club-record £42m from Real Madrid four years ago, while Sanchez – Arsenal’s leading scorer in the season just ended – left Barcelona in a £30m the following summer.