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Ivan Gazidis torn by AC Milan's big money offer to leave Arsenal

Ivan Gazidis is agonising over AC Milan’s offer to give him a huge rise to his to £2.6million Arsenal wages to quit the Emirates.

Milan want Gazidis to take over as the Italian club’s chief executive, with sources claiming he could earn over £1million-a-year more to move to Italy.

The expectation around Arsenal has been that Gazids will accept Milan’s offer, but it is understood he is yet to make a firm decision.

Milan want an answer from Gazidis by the start of September and still hope that the lure of more money and control of a club overhaul will persuade him to leave Arsenal.

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Gazidis is one of the best paid Premier League executives, although his salary fell slightly between 2016, when he earned £2.65m, and 2017.

It may be that Gazidis will need assurances that Milan’s new American owners, Elliott Management, can put up the money required to compete against Juventus, Napoli, Roma and Inter Milan in Serie A.

Arsenal new Head Coach Unai Emery with CEO Ivan Gazidis at Emirates Stadium - Credit: ARSENAL FC
Gazidis brought in Unai Emery in the summer to replace Arsene WengerCredit: ARSENAL FC

Gazidis has overseen a huge period of change at Arsenal, culminating in choosing Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor as head coach.

The 53-year-old’s influence at the Emirates has never been bigger, but he may fear that Arsenal simply do not have the budget to compete with their Premier League rivals.

And with Wenger now gone, Gazidis will be well aware that he could become a target of unhappy fans if Emery does not succeed or Arsenal suffer a disappointing season.

Other than Gazidis, the Arsenal future of midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who started the defeat to Chelsea on the substitutes’ bench, remains in doubt.

Ramsey has just 11 months remaining on his current deal and has rejected at least one Arsenal extension offer.

With his place in Emery’s side now unsure, the Gunners face a fight to persuade Ramsey to commit to a new contract.