The infamous Arsenal transfer ‘war chest’ is likely a term you see banded around different platforms leading up to the summer window and there are suggestions that the club could go over £200million this summer. Whilst even I’ve discussed the idea that getting close to a £300million investment from the club shouldn’t be beyond their reach this summer, the reality is very different.
Not in terms of what can be invested across multiple transfer packages, but the idea of what the club will spend this summer. For example, football.london understands Kai Havertz's £65million deal is split into being paid across three instalments and £5million in add-ons.
Therefore, this summer, if the instalments are equally split, Arsenal will pay just £20million. This trend continues for Arsenal’s other signings so that in the end, the club are far from a £200million-plu summer investment.
The priority signing of the summer Declan Rice has a £100million price from West Ham. There’s an understanding that the Hammers want this paid with a guaranteed amount upfront and ideally split across two payments.
Again, if this were split, the Gunners would be paying around £50million this summer for Rice. The second stage of the investment is being made next season, although the Gunners' rebuffed offers have been spread over significantly more years football.london understands.
The third primary target is Jurrien Timber. The Dutch international has already seen a bid in the region of £30million rejected by Ajax but there’s optimism that a compromise can be reached on the Eredivisie star's €60million (£51.6million) asking price.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Timber edging closer, Havertz deal 'completed', Elneny wanted
If Arsenal are successful in a £40million bid, that could be paid also across multiple years with the potential for around £10million-£20million being invested solely this summer a realistic ballpark.
For the three key players: Havertz, Rice and Timber, Arsenal may indeed be paying this summer less than half the suggested £200million war chest some might suggest. In the case of long-term investments, should the players remain at the club for the length of their deals then yes this figure would be reached but certainly not this year alone.
Further signings are however expected with links to Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda. The Belgian is reportedly available for upwards of £40million, but again this would be paid with a payment structure.
However the summer plays out, any investment from Arsenal, at least in this year, is sure to be well below suggestions of £200million being “given” to Edu Gaspar and Arteta this summer from the owners. The hope is the window is a success, and also money is recouped through significant sales.
