Arteta to get a pay rise, new budget ready for a forward

He has restored glory to Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta will be duly rewarded for it. Two days after delivering the London club its first title in 22 years, The Guardian reports that the Spaniard will be given a significant pay raise at the Emirates, along with another major signing in attack, all aimed at turning the current success into a sustained era. Given that the competition is in a difficult position, Arsenal’s leadership has decided not to sit idle, but to further strengthen the advantage they currently hold by continuing to reinforce the already solid squad.

This was, in fact, announced by the club’s owners Stan Kroenke and his son Josh even before Arsenal mathematically secured the title, ahead of the match against Burnley earlier this week.

“We always look forward in our approach, learn on the go, and are relentless in our pursuit of progress. We remain focused on raising standards, creating the best possible environment in which our players and staff can succeed, and strengthening the connection that exists between the club and the community” the Kroenke family stated ahead of the final Emirates match of the season.

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And rest assured, they will keep their word, just as they have always backed Arteta over the years—a loyalty that the Spaniard finally repaid after six and a half years. Stan Kroenke will reward him with a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the world! According to The Guardian, Arteta currently earns a fixed salary of around 11.5 million euros per season, plus a bonus of nearly six million for qualifying for the Champions League. The new contract would place him just above Diego Simeone of Atlético Madrid, currently the highest-paid manager in football with about 26 million euros annually. Arteta’s current deal expires next June, and negotiations for an extension had already begun but were paused near the end of the season so that the Spaniard could fully focus on fighting for trophies in the Premier League and Champions League. British media suggest he would have received a new contract even if he had finished the season empty-handed.

Now it’s done

He will also be rewarded with a high-profile signing in attack. While it’s unlikely Arteta will receive 300 million euros for the transfer window like last June, funds will be available to bring in a top-class player, similar to Declan Rice, who joined the Emirates for a then-record 116.5 million, reports The Guardian. This time, sporting director Andrea Berta’s focus will be on strengthening the forward line, with the department keen on signing Eli Junior Krupi. The teenager, who scored the most goals in a Premier League debut season—with his strike against Manchester City on Tuesday marking his thirteenth league goal—has impressed the entire country with his ease of adaptation to the world’s toughest league and could leave Bournemouth after just one season.

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Not for a bargain, of course, as The Guardian notes that Arsenal would have to spend around 90 million for his services, but in North London they are aware that his arrival could not only solve the urgent left-wing position but also strengthen competition up front, since the 19-year-old Frenchman is capable of playing in multiple attacking roles. The source also reminds that Arsenal is interested in Julian Álvarez, although it’s unclear how much Atlético would demand for the Argentine striker. Meanwhile, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would be a dream signing, though it’s unlikely Paris Saint-Germain would let him go. Therefore, the wish list is extensive, including Bradley Barcola, Niko Williams, and Anthony Gordon, and bringing in a new left winger could open the door for Gabriel Martinelli to depart if a satisfactory offer arrives at the Emirates.