Arsenal chief reveals major change of club policy

Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi says a change of policy means the club will no longer allow the contracts of key players to enter their final year.

It has long been an issue at the Emirates Stadium, where last year Alexis Sanchez left for Manchester United and Mesut Ozil was given a bumper new deal after both players went into the final year of their respective contracts.

Now Aaron Ramsey looks set to move after his contract situation was also not addressed until its final year.

And the recently-appointed Sanllehi has told the Sunday Telegraph that it is time for the club to have a rethink.

“In general, I do believe that a player’s contract should never go to the last year, as a policy,” said Sanllehi.

“But I don’t think I am inventing the wheel. Anybody could agree on that. Normally, the contracts of the players are for five years. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to do with that player when he is in the third year, at the latest.

“We don’t take decisions overnight, on a quick reflection. We really go through not only a long period of thinking but also a lot of people are involved. People in which we have a high trust.

“In general I would like to make that point clear. There are no decisions that are left to the last minute. When we reach a decision, it is for a reason.”