Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis says that he is confident that Arsene Wenger will spend big again this summer.
The Telegraph reports that the Gunners will hand their manager Arsene Wenger a £100m transfer kitty in order to strengthen Arsenal’s squad.
The Gunners have been linked with several players across Europe, including former captain Cesc Fabregas who reportedly set to leave Barcelona this summer. Arsenal are understood to have an option on the Spain midfielder, also a target for Chelsea and Manchester United.
Toulouse right-back Serge Aurier has been touted as a potential replacement for the out-of-contract Bacary Sagna, while Real Madrid’s Spain Under-21 forward Alvaro Morata is another reported to be on Wenger’s radar along with Inter Milan’s former Manchester City frontman Mario Balotelli.
Why not commenting on specific players Gazidis said:
“Transfers are obviously important and we are deep in conversations already. I am confident we will add what we need this summer.”
“The manager is not scared to spend, has the experience, but as always will have to juggle a set budget.”
“We are all really pleased with securing Champions League qualification again. Last season was a great experience for players to win the FA Cup and now we want more,” he added.
Nice of Gazidis to mention qualifying for the Champions League ahead of winning the FA Cup! That sums up his ambition in my opinion. Arsenal led the league for most of last season but faded at the end partly because Wenger did not strengthen the squad in January when he had the chance. But the Gunners CEO seems more star-struck of the Arsenal manager than his boss saying:
Arsene is impossible to replace. He has given us the footballing philosophy we have now.
“Arsene’s legacy is based on him wanting to take Arsenal to the next level, and everything he did and still does is for the future of the club.”
Liverpool and Chelsea have already strengthened their sides this summer. The pressure is on Arsene Wenger to do the same.