Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is at loggerheads with the board over transfer plans and their wage structure, according to a source close the club.
As reported by The Football Network and a source they spoke to, Wenger is in fact keen to sign world class expensive stars and increase the clubs strict wage structure so they can offer wages of £150,000p/w, but board members are forcing the Frenchman to look at cheaper transfer targets and refuse to increase the wages offered.
This reported row goes some way to explaining the failure to add substantially to the squad this summer. It is believed that Wenger is keen to add a world class centre back to his ranks and knows that to sign such a player would require a fee in excess of £20m and wages of over £100,000p/w.
However the board are trying to force him into signing the likes of Scott Dann and Gary Cahill, who will command less in terms of wages. Wenger feels neither of these players are good enough to improve his first team so is reluctant to sign them, and is continuing to persuade the hierarchy to go all out for world class players that he knows the club needs to compete.
The board are believed to be happy to pay transfer fee’s in excess of £20m, but not the huge wages that such players command. Both the board and Wenger are in agreement that the club needs new blood but the problem of the strict wage structure is hampering any potential deals.
The failure to secure the signing of Juan Mata 2 weeks ago is also down to this dispute, as the board refused to meet his wage demands and as soon as Chelsea entered the race they were able to offer substantially more to the player.
This news will be a surprise to many Arsenal fans, who vent their anger at Arsene Wenger for the lack of transfer activity. But it’s vital this row is resolved soon as it’s clear Arsenal need to sign players before the window closes on the 31st August.
