After his move to PSG, we’re looking at how Neymar’s massive wages compare to Arsenal’s top earners.
Neymar has just become the most expensive player of all time, after his contract was bought out for £200m. His wages are similarly ridiculous, according to reports, with the BBC claiming he will earn £775,477 a week. Although the tax rates are higher in France, he’ll still take home far more than anyone in North London.
Based on 2016/17 figures from TotalSportek.com, as well as other sources mentioned below, we’re going to look at just how many Arsenal players you’d need to match this total:
1. Alexandre Lacazette – £200,000 per week
Club record signing Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly the only Arsenal player to hit £200k, according to the Daily Star. Arsenal have spent big on the forward, and will be hoping he delivers, but the early signs are good with a couple of goals in pre-season.
2. Sead Kolašinac – £150,000 per week
Arsenal’s other signing of the summer, Sead joined the club on a free transfer from Schalke. Again according to the Daily Star, he is the second highest earner, which is no surprise given that it’s the only money Arsenal had to pay to secure his capture. This brings the running total for wages so far to £350,000
3. Alexis Sanchez – £140,000 per week
One of Arsenal’s star men, the top scorer and top assister last season, Alexis was apparently also the top earner before the new signings. Arsenal have been trying to boost his wages with a new contract, but for now he’s still on the same amount he was in 2014. Running total: £490,000
4. Mesut Özil – £140,000 per week
On the same wages at Alexis is Arsenal’s other star player. Mesut seems a lot closer to a new deal than Alexis, as he has said on the official club website that he wants to stay, but again, he is currently on his initial wage from when he joined in 2013.
Running total: £630,000
5. Aaron Ramsey – £110,000 per week
Getting a big new deal after his performances stepped up between 2013 and 2015, Aaron is next on the list. With a couple of cup final winners under his belt, Aaron has been good value for money so far, although some fans will say they want to see him be more consistent and get back to his best. Hopefully if he stays injury free this will be the year he does that.
Running total: £740,000
6. Theo Walcott – £110,000 per week
The player on this list who probably most divides fan opinion, Walcott’s salary is mostly a result of the length of time he’s spent at the club, now entering his twelfth year with Arsenal. Now 28, he’s running out of time to really make his mark with the Gunners, although he also has a couple of cup final goals to his name.
This at last brings us above Neymar’s total, at £850,000. The most well-paid player you could replace Theo with in order to still remain under Neymar’s total would be Alex Iwobi, on £30,000 per week.
Therefore, for the price of Neymar every week, you could pay the wages of Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolašinac, Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi.