Kieran Maguire: Arsenal well placed to rake it in after two big names ‘kicked out of the door’
Arsenal are following the transfer ‘model’ used by Chelsea by signing younger players on long contracts with a low base wage.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the Gunners’ wage structure and transfer strategy under Mikel Arteta.
The North London side have followed last season’s title race disappointment by strengthening their squad through the signings of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
While Arsenal have spent heavily in recent windows, their strict wage budget has allowed them to do so within the rules and restrictions of Financial Fair Play.
Sky Sports was told by Maguire that Arsenal’s wage bill is £150million less than the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Maguire believes Arsenal had much more flexibility over their wages after removing the big-money deals of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“Arsenal will benefit from a higher revenue base next season due to their runners-up finish in the Premier League and their qualification for the Champions League,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“You’re allowed to spend, this season, around about 80% of that on wages, so that increases your wage bill ceiling.
“On top of that, they will have a full Emirates Stadium for at least three games in the Champions League.
“The other benefit that Arsenal have is that some of the more problematical contracts, such as Ozil and Aubameyang, have now been kicked out of the door.
“As a consequence, they have much more flexibility.
“They’re trying to recruit younger players, and to a certain extent, they’re following the model that Chelsea have also employed.
“Signing players younger on longer contracts but actually paying them a lower base salary with a higher commitment towards performance-related bonuses.“
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