Arsenal's spending on wages account for more than half of the club's turnover, meaning that significant increases in the overall wage-bill could not be sustainable without the new commercial deals.
At least £6.5 million will also be freed up from Arsenal's wage-bill this summer by the departure of several high earners, notably Sébastian Squillaci and Andrei Arshavin, who are both out of contract.
Nicklas Bendtner, Andre Santos, Marouane Chamakh, Johan Djourou and Park Chu-young will also be available, although Arsenal's difficulty in selling well-paid but underperforming players has been evident over recent transfer windows. Arsenal's wage structure has attracted criticism for being overly generous to mediocre players and too cautious for exceptional players. There is a realisation, however, that the sort of players whom Wenger has been scouting can only be signed if the wage structure is stretched.
Wenger still believes that there will be a general trend away from players being paid more than £200,000 a week as Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules takes effect and believes Arsenal will now compete for the very best.
At 23, Jovetic is regarded as similar in style and potential to a young Van Persie and would cost around £20 million. Wenger is also targeting a right-back amid uncertainty about Bacary Sagna's future and wants another holding midfielder as an option alongside Mikel Arteta, with Toulouse's Étienne Capoue still on his radar.
Sagna has been offered a one-year extension to a contract that expires in 2014 but is understood to want a longer deal. Arsenal believe that their offer is sensible for a player who has just turned 30 and suffered several serious injuries. Wojciech Szczesny's dip in form will also force careful consideration of the goalkeeping department, with both Pepe Reina and Asmir Begovic among the options.
With Wenger himself out of contract next year, his success in this summer's transfer market and how Arsenal start next season could be pivotal in deciding whether he remains at the club beyond 2014.
Wenger's plan is to continue to rebuild around a British core, notably Jack Wilshere, Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs, but also use the club's greater financial strength to have a better chance of competing for the world's elite players.
Dennis Bergkamp, meanwhile, is to become the next Arsenal legend to be immortalised outside the Emirates Stadium later this year with a statue. Bergkamp, who was part of the 'Invincible' team of 2003-4, was voted second by Arsenal fans in a poll of the club's greatest players. Statues of Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Herbert Chapman were also erected in December 2011.
more like the spuds following what arsenal do as always.
- IMightBeRight , london, United Kingdom, 01/3/2013 06:50
Report abuse