Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool defender Markus Babbel is hoping that Serge Gnabry doesn’t leave the Allianz Arena to make a return to Arsenal this summer.
The German international has just over a year left on his contract at the Bundesliga champions and he has been linked with a move to the Gunners. When asked whether he can see it happening, Babbel replied:
“I hope not, I hope he stays with Bayern Munich because at the minute all the German media are talking about Lewandowski, Muller and Neuer. But they never say Gnabry is also at risk with his contract running out in 2023. If you have to sign four players like this, that’s massive baggage for Bayern. The pandemic caused huge havoc for them with the stadium being closed which will hit their finances.”
“I’m really scared he won’t sign a new contract. I love the kind of winger he is. He’s not only producing chances and assists, but he scores goals too. Not many wingers score goals, he’s scoring between ten and 15 goals per season as a winger. I don’t know why he doesn’t have a higher standing with the club and the media because for me he’s fantastic.”
Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also reportedly keeping tabs on Gnabry’s situation at Bayern, with an agreement over a contract renewal not thought to be close at the moment.
The 26-year-old is believed to be asking for pay parity with teammates Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane, who are both earning around €15m a year, which works out at around £244,000 a week.
If he was to be put on the same wage at Arsenal, it would make him the club’s highest earner, with the nearest being Thomas Partey, who is on approximately £200,000 a week.
