Carl Jenkinson has revealed that a 40% pay cut for being relegated was the real reason that he turned down a move to Crystal Palace.
In an interview with The Mirror the defender has hit back at the whispers and accusations of being greedy that were aimed at him after the deal broke down.
Arsenal and Palace agreed a transfer fee but after days of negotiations the player was unable to agree terms to switch to Selhurst Park.
Jenkinson explained: “Football is a very short career. There was the possibility if I did move to Palace on the terms being offered then there was the chance it would have been quite a significant financial step backwards for me.”
Palace were linked with a number of defenders during the January transfer window but were only able to bring in Patrick van Aanholt and agree a loan for Mamadou Sakho.
Last week’s 4-0 home defeat from Sunderland brought the state of the club into focus with fears that Sam Allardyce may not be able to perform an escape act from relegation to the Championship.
Jenkinson opted to stay on at Arsenal but is unlikely to find many first team openingsin Arsene Wenger’s side.