For months now we have all been lead to believe that the Arsenal transfer budget was just £45 Million. Well, it turns out that was all a smokescreen and it is much more.
Apparently, if Arsenal wants to they can go as high as £70 Million for the signature of Wilfried Zaha, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
It has suited Arsenal to have everyone believe they had a restricted transfer budget and they are now expected to make a second bid for the Crystal Palace forward.
Speaking on Sky Sports The Transfer Show, Solhekol said,
“We know that Arsenal have made a bid of £40m and we know that Crystal Palace are not going to sell him for that kind of money,” he said. “They are looking for at least double that if they decide to let him go.”
“People are expecting Arsenal to come in with another bid, and we have spoken to people involved in the negotiations and an improved bid has not been made yet. There is every expectation that Arsenal will make that improved bid.
“Interestingly, we have read that Arsenal’s transfer budget this summer, because they have missed out on the Champions League, is just £45m, plus what they can raise from selling players.
“We have kept reading that, £45m. People are thinking ‘why are Arsenal trying to sign a player who Crystal Palace are saying is worth £80m, when they only have £45m?’
“What I have been told is that it suits Arsenal that people think they only have £45m, because when they get into negotiations over a player, the selling club is going to think Arsenal don’t have much money.
“What I have been told is that this is a bit of a smokescreen and Arsenal can go up to £70m to buy Wilfried Zaha. £70m is the point at which they would walk away. A deal that would be worth £70m in total.
“We just have to take it with a pinch of salt that Arsenal only have £45m. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world. We are not talking about £300m for Neymar, this is £70m in total. I think Arsenal can do that.”
Well, that is a turn up isn’t it, that explains why the club have been tabling bids all over the place, they have the funds.
Does that mean that Stan Kroenke has finally sanctioned the increase in spending? who knows, but something must have happened but whatever it is, who cares.
Now we know the club can compete and that puts a different slant on things, now the transfer window will be far more interesting.
It also puts the £50 Million offer for Harry Maguire in a different light.
Have to be honest, a little more excited now.