soccerbest
Jul 9 2003, 12:22 AM
DENNIS BERGKAMP is on the brink of signing for Ajax after Arsenal offered him only £14,000 a week to stay.
The Gunners want legend Bergy to accept a third of the wages he has been picking up for the last two seasons.
But his agent Rob Jansen described Arsenal’s new one-year proposal as ‘embarrassing’.
And former Highbury stars are amazed the club cannot pay the out-of-contract Dutchman his worth.
Ex-defender Lee Dixon said: “I’d give him what he wants — the fans want him to stay another season.”
And fellow old boy Alan Smith admitted: “There seems a chronic shortage of money at Highbury at the moment.”
Hitman Thierry Henry earns around £50,000 a week and has another four years to run on his contract, while captain Patrick Vieira is in the middle of negotiating a £70,000-a-week deal.
Bergkamp, 34, is furious at the shabby offer after he stayed loyal to Arsenal instead of returning to Holland two years ago.
His first club Ajax begged the hotshot to re-sign for them but were told he was committed to Highbury and intended to finish his career there.
Bergkamp did not report back to London Colney for pre-season training yesterday and remained at his home in Amsterdam.
He had insisted he would hang up his boots if he could not reach an agreement with the Gunners.
But sources close to Ajax reckon Bergkamp has already spoken to long-time pal Marco van Basten about his situation.
Van Basten was recently appointed as right-hand man to Ajax coach Ronald Koeman and wants Bergy to play in Amsterdam for the next two years.
Ajax are concerned over their striker Jari Litmanen’s lack of fitness — and the Finn has also elected to carry on playing international football.
Ironically, Bergkamp called time on Holland because he hoped to extend his club career with Arsenal.
The Gunners want legend Bergy to accept a third of the wages he has been picking up for the last two seasons.
But his agent Rob Jansen described Arsenal’s new one-year proposal as ‘embarrassing’.
And former Highbury stars are amazed the club cannot pay the out-of-contract Dutchman his worth.
Ex-defender Lee Dixon said: “I’d give him what he wants — the fans want him to stay another season.”
And fellow old boy Alan Smith admitted: “There seems a chronic shortage of money at Highbury at the moment.”
Hitman Thierry Henry earns around £50,000 a week and has another four years to run on his contract, while captain Patrick Vieira is in the middle of negotiating a £70,000-a-week deal.
Bergkamp, 34, is furious at the shabby offer after he stayed loyal to Arsenal instead of returning to Holland two years ago.
His first club Ajax begged the hotshot to re-sign for them but were told he was committed to Highbury and intended to finish his career there.
Bergkamp did not report back to London Colney for pre-season training yesterday and remained at his home in Amsterdam.
He had insisted he would hang up his boots if he could not reach an agreement with the Gunners.
But sources close to Ajax reckon Bergkamp has already spoken to long-time pal Marco van Basten about his situation.
Van Basten was recently appointed as right-hand man to Ajax coach Ronald Koeman and wants Bergy to play in Amsterdam for the next two years.
Ajax are concerned over their striker Jari Litmanen’s lack of fitness — and the Finn has also elected to carry on playing international football.
Ironically, Bergkamp called time on Holland because he hoped to extend his club career with Arsenal.