Arsenal’s Johan Djourou is hoping that he can make his move to the Bundesliga permanent after spending the second half of the season on loan with Hannover 96.
Speaking in the German paper Neuepresse.de, Hannover manager Mirko Slomka said that Djourou wishes to remain with the club but his wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
Djourou is reportedly on €3m per year, some three times the amount other defenders at Hannover receive and during his time in Germany Arsenal had part-funded the Swiss defenders wages.
The piece about Djourou concludes that ‘he is worth the effort’ but the transfer fee could also cause problems as Djourou is still under contract with Arsenal until 2015.
Djourou joined Arsenal in 2002 and there were high hopes surrounding the now 26-year-old defender when he first arrived. For a number of reasons things didn’t quite work out for him and with Arsenal looking to clear their decks it seem the sensible option to let him leave.
Finding a club willing to pay his wages, however, may cause problems. At the time of his loan move it was reported that there was no option to buy included in the loan agreement.
Back in April Djourou also said that he wished to remain with Hannover, saying
“It would be fantastic if the clubs could agree on a deal.
“I have been granted the chance to play here and I am getting better and better and slowly finding my old form.
“It is a difficult situation since I still have two years left on my contract in London.”
