Exclusive: ‘Arsenal decide to make big splash, spend £200m
(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media / Hasan Karim – Breaking Media)
Arsenal have decided they are “really pushing the envelope” with their summer transfer business and will spend accordingly.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the club’s boosted revenue from the Premier League and Champions League would allow the Gunners to spend £200million on transfers this summer.
The North London side finished a distant second domestically to Liverpool last term, and the club have worked quickly to strengthen the options available to Mikel Arteta.
Viktor Gyokeres is set to join from Sporting CP in a deal worth £64m [MailOnline], Martin Zubimendi has made the move from Real Sociedad for £55.8m [The Athletic], and Noni Madueke has joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £52m [Sky Sports].
But despite splashing out significant amounts on those three and a few more filler options like Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Arteta’s side may still have some cash in the budget to work with.
Arsenal set to make £200m ‘splash’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley, a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, explained how the Gunners’ strong financial position would allow the club to spend £200m this summer.
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UEFA caused ripples at the highest levels of European football when they dished out significant fines to Barcelona, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
However, Plumley also pointed out that the club are “in line” with the European governing bodies’ financial rules, and he expects the club to continue “pushing the envelope” this summer.
He said: “Well, I think it’s one of those for those big clubs where ultimately, they operate in cycles from time to time, as we’ve seen.
“The limit ultimately on what they can spend is probably set by themselves internally, because again, if you look at where we are with PSR, Arsenal are safe from what we can see thanks to the numbers that have since happened in terms of enhanced Champions League revenue this season, and enhanced Premier League TV money has crept up because we’re in a new cycle.
“The revenue within the club is growing. The cost base is okay in terms of wages and they’re in line with where they would be with UEFA.
“It’s more a case of, if you’re one of those big clubs now and you’re going to make a splash in the transfer market, it’s going to be £200m. That’s the kind of market we’re in.
“Arsenal can afford that, so I guess anything above that, you’re then saying, right, that’s the club really pushing the envelope and they’ve decided to do that.”
Michelle Agyemang, Olivia Smith boost Arsenal value
In another boost to the club’s strong financial position, Plumley previously told Football Insider that Michelle Agyemang’s stellar performances for England would boost Arsenal’s perceived value to investors.
The teenager has played a crucial role in the Lionesses’ run to a second consecutive Euros final, bolstering the value of the women’s team.
And another player who has been a factor in Arsenal’s continued rising valuation is Olivia Smith, who became the first £1m [BBC Sport] transfer in women’s football when she made the move over from Liverpool this summer.
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