WTTGT Writer: Matt Mace
It seems that Arsène Wenger’s transfer policy is finally paying off. Whilst his reluctance to spend big money on players is leaving a disgruntled taste amongst the terraces, it is creating quite a healthy financial situation. With money to spend Wenger can bring in essential transfer targets (budgeted of course), something that Spanish giants and Arsenal tormentors, Barcelona cannot do.
Despite the on-going transfer saga surrounding Fabregas’ ‘destined’ return to Catalonia, it appears that Barca don’t have the financial muscle to bill this move. It was earlier revealed that manager Pep Guardiola had been given a war chest of €45million. With this in mind the rumoured £50m asking price for Fabregas will leave Barca short-changed in their efforts to capture the Spanish international’s signature.
Whilst they can generate funds by trimming the squad and wage bill (Bojan, Jeffren and Maxwell have all been linked with moves away from the Champions League winners) the implements of massive debt are there for all to see. Barcelona’s debt, apparently standing at a staggering €483m means that whenever negotiations take place, that figure will always be looming over the club and must be the top priority for the boardroom.
Arsenal, however, are sitting comfortably in the fact that they are one of the few clubs to be generating a profit in a time of economic difficulty. With the debt of the Emirates Stadium pretty much paid off, the Gunners can build for the future without sweating over the impending Financial Fair Play rule, set to be sanctioned by UEFA in the 2012/13 season.
The aim of this rule is to make sure that clubs are breaking even, in terms of finance. This leaves heavily-spending clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City knowing that they will have to create some sort of revenue from other aspects of their club, and it may also limit them as to who they can bring in and how much they can spend on players and wages.
So, if Fabregas does indeed stay, and Arsenal spend wisely, they may soon be the dominant force in the transfer market. And with Wenger finally signifying that he intends to spend big, it could be exciting times for Arsenal fans in the upcoming seasons.
Brilliant. Great article. This is Wenger's vision, healthy financials and budding young talent.
Refreshing article!, whilst I am not entirely convinced that this means that Fabregas will be staying with us this year, it is nice to see a post from a different angle rather than slagging off our great club. Arsenal have been around for 125 years, and I for one would love it to be around for another 125 years so our children and childrens kids can all enjoy the club we all adore. As agonising as it is not to have won anything for as long as we have, if 6 years of anguish means 60 years of supremacy will follow then thats not a bad trade off. Financially we are potentially set up to be THE dominant force in football for years to come. Up the Gooners !!!