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Adebayor demands wage rise to stay with Gunners

29/06/2008

Emmanuel Adebayor has demanded that Arsenal meet his wage demands or he will leave to join another club in Europe.

The Togolese striker has been heavily linked with a move to AC Milan but he has now revealed in the News of the World that Barcelona have also made him an offer.

Adebayor claims that if he is being used as the replacement for Thierry Henry at Arsenal then his financial reward should reflect that.

Although the striker stopped short of claiming he should be paid as much as Henry, Adebayor suggested that he deserved a significant pay rise.

He told the paper: "I have to prepare for my retirement.

"I am being considered a worthy replacement for Henry while not deserving his salary."

Adebayor scored 30 goals for the Gunners last season, by contrast their second highest scorer was midfielder Cesc Fabregas with 13.

The Gunners are therefore facing the prospect of either breaking their wage structure or losing the man they relied on so heavily for goals last season.

Adebayor added: "Yes, I am still under contract to Arsenal but it's up to the directors to satisfy my demands or I'll leave.

"If my good form of last season has increased my value, my employers have to take account of that."

Adebayor says the offers from AC Milan and Barcelona are certainly appealing from a financial point of view.

He said: "Milan are a big club but the fact they are not playing in the Champions League next season is less of a challenge.

"Barcelona have made a good financial offer and there is also the chance to play alongside great players."

It is rumoured that the striker has asked Arsenal to quadruple his wages to £120,000 a week - a move manager Arsene Wenger is unlikely to allow.