Alexis Sanchez should be paid whatever he demands - Ray Parlour

Ex-Arsenal star Ray Parlour has said that the club should agree to Alexis Sanchez‘s wage demands in an attempt to convince him to stay.

The Chile international has just over a year remaining on his current contract and has yet to commit to a new deal, with reports suggesting that he is requesting wages of £300,000-a-week to remain at the Emirates Stadium.

Parlour told talkSPORT (via goal): “The club have got to make it an issue now and give the players the wages they want.

“They have got to step up now. I would say to Sanchez, ‘how much do you want?’

“If his agent says, ‘we want £300,000-a-week’ you have to pay it I’m afraid.

“They have come fifth in the league this year, which we know is not good enough for Arsenal’s standards. They won a trophy in the FA Cup.

“The manager has been sorted out, that is on the backburner, now the [future of the] players is the most important.

“If you want to compete with the likes of City, Chelsea, [Manchester] United, whoever it is going to be next year, then you have got to keep your best players.”

Sanchez performed outstandingly well for Arsenal this season, with the attacker netting 24 times in the Premier League, while he created 78 chances.

Sanchez is currently with the Chile team preparing for the Confederations Cup, with a decision on his future not likely to be made until after that tournament is over.