The article says that Arse maybe forced to let them go because they have to make a choice. Players or the new digs, if the players keep demanding more money, and it looks like unless Vieira and Pires give in, they are gonna be sent packing. United should get them because they are great players who could be even better and it would be nice to rub Arsene Wenger's face in it. United could pick them both up for a song and shore up the midfield.
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Gunners may let French stars go
Arsenal could let top earners like Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires leave Highbury if they do not 'get real' and lower their wage demands, according to chairman Peter Hill-Wood.
The Gunners are committed to their switch to a new £300million state-of-the-art stadium in Ashburton Grove, which Hill-Wood says has hit Arsene Wenger's transfer budget.
The Frenchman will have only around £10million available this summer, which could yet see him trying to attract new players and entice current staff to stay on with the north London club who are on course to repeat last season's League and Cup double.
Hill-Wood, though, claims the club are not prepared to risk financial ruin by caving in on lucrative contracts.
He told the Daily Express: 'Players generally will have to get real.
'They have to realise that wages are no longer going to move out of control.
'It is possible that players like Vieira and Pires will leave, unless they face facts.'
'We cannot possible sanction a massive increase in the wage bill.
'It has been steadily increasing, but in recent years it has escalated by 25 to 20%. That is no longer sustainable.
'The wage bill will have to be more in line with inflation, and that's how it should be.'
Hill-Wood added: 'Of course, we would make an exception for an exceptional player, and Patrick Vieira is an exceptional player.
'We want them to sign new deals, but there is a limit to how much can offer them - and that's it.'
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Gunners may let French stars go
Arsenal could let top earners like Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires leave Highbury if they do not 'get real' and lower their wage demands, according to chairman Peter Hill-Wood.
The Gunners are committed to their switch to a new £300million state-of-the-art stadium in Ashburton Grove, which Hill-Wood says has hit Arsene Wenger's transfer budget.
The Frenchman will have only around £10million available this summer, which could yet see him trying to attract new players and entice current staff to stay on with the north London club who are on course to repeat last season's League and Cup double.
Hill-Wood, though, claims the club are not prepared to risk financial ruin by caving in on lucrative contracts.
He told the Daily Express: 'Players generally will have to get real.
'They have to realise that wages are no longer going to move out of control.
'It is possible that players like Vieira and Pires will leave, unless they face facts.'
'We cannot possible sanction a massive increase in the wage bill.
'It has been steadily increasing, but in recent years it has escalated by 25 to 20%. That is no longer sustainable.
'The wage bill will have to be more in line with inflation, and that's how it should be.'
Hill-Wood added: 'Of course, we would make an exception for an exceptional player, and Patrick Vieira is an exceptional player.
'We want them to sign new deals, but there is a limit to how much can offer them - and that's it.'