Stan Kroenke has given the go-ahead for Arsenal to increase their wage bill to help the club become title contenders next season.
Arsenal are determined to sign at least three star players — a keeper, a holding midfielder and a striker — and manager Arsene Wenger has been given at least £70million for transfer fees by Kroenke, the club’s majority shareholder.
Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott are the top earners on around £100,000 a week but the club would be willing to offer £150,000 a week for the right player.
Blank cheque: Arsene Wenger is to be given his greatest ever transfer kittyChief executive Ivan Gazidis said: ‘Mr Kroenke has made it clear that our ultimate objective is to win major trophies. We all share that ambition. Arsene and I have been planning what we need to do.’
The increased spend on wages will be helped by a summer clear-out, which could save £18m a season in salaries.
Andrey Arshavin, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh, Park Chu-young, Denilson and Andre Santos can all leave and Sportsmail understands the club will also consider offers for Thomas Vermaelen and Gervinho.
Incoming? Arsene Wenger wants Gonzalo Higuain or Stevan Jovetic to spearhead next season's attackIn his hunt for a striker, Wenger is looking at Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic.
Talks with Fiorentina are under way, and there is a growing interest in Higuain after Madrid made it clear they would consider selling him this summer.
It remains to be seen if the new wage budget at Arsenal will be enough to lure their dream signing Wayne Rooney, who earns £250,000 a week at Manchester United.
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