Manchester City are facing a contract rebellion from three first-team players following the £38million capture of striker Sergio Aguero.
Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards are unhappy with the new deals offered to them, especially after learning that City are paying club record signing Aguero £200,000 per week in a five-year deal confirmed.
Holland midfielder De Jong revealed how he had already grown ‘frustrated’ at the way contract negotiations had progressed and it has since emerged that talks have broken down.
De Jong, a star performer in manager Roberto Mancini’s midfield last season alongside Yaya Toure, who earns £200,000 a week, was believed to have been offered £80,000 a week.
Kompany and Richards also feel undervalued by their big-spending club.
Richards has been offered a five-year deal worth £65,000 a week while Kompany has been told to expect a four-year deal worth £80,000 a week. However, the pair are mulling over the offers.
Full back Richards has publicly stated his desire to stay at the club and rejected claims he was looking for £100,000 a week.
Kompany, who was in last season’s PFA team of the year and is City’s player of the year, is a candidate to skipper the side if Carlos Tevez leaves.
But Kompany and Richards will hold out for deals they feel represent their standing as important first-team regulars.
City are keen to rein in their spending over the coming seasons and cutting wages is part of their efficiency drive.
But the fact they have agreed to pay Aguero £52m in wages over five years has not been lost on De Jong, Kompany and Richards.
A City source said: ‘While efforts to bring the club’s wage bill into line are commendable, it doesn’t wash with the key members of the squad being offered less than half of what some of the top earners like Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero will earn.
Big money man: Yaya Toure is another of City's biggest earners, along with Carlos Tevez
‘All the players are keen to stay and play their part in City’s success, but they don’t want to feel forgotten about.’
Argentina striker Aguero revealed words from his compatriot Pablo Zabaleta convinced him to join City.
Aguero, unaware his salary has caused such unrest, said: ‘Zabaleta has told me all about City and it is very positive. He has told me that it is a happy squad and I have only heard good things about them.
'I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and this is a good club. I think we will be fighting every year to win major trophies.’
Atletico Madrid fans reacted badly to Aguero’s departure, burning his shirt and chanting ‘die, die’ in the Europa League.
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