Arsenal manager Unai Emery has made a rather stunning revelation after informing journalists at a press conference held earlier today the Gunners could “only do” loan signings in the ongoing winter transfer window, and would not be in a position to sign any players permanently by paying a transfer fee.
It does sound bizarre for a fan- Arsenal are easily one of the biggest clubs in the world (6th according to Deloitte’s Money League table), are based in London, and are worth over £2bn, but can’t afford to pay a transfer fee for new signings.
In fact Mundo Deportivo in Spain report that one of the key disagreements between Barca and Arsenal over Denis Suarez is because of this stance- Arsenal want a free loan with no purchase clause (or an optional one), while the Catalan giants want a loan fee and a mandatory purchase clause.
Denis Suarez is reportedly valued at around £20m. To put that figure into context, Bournemouth, whom no one would consider as Arsenal’s peers, have just spent £19m in acquiring Dominic Solanke from Liverpool. It’s hard to stomach for ordinary Arsenal fans, and the anger against their owners might just increase after this latest revelation.