How Believable is Arsene Wenger’s Transfer Budget for Arsenal?

Arsenal are a bit behind the eight ball. Aside from Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere, there have been very few bright spots on the season. After a silent transfer window in August that saw only the arrival of Danny Welbeck when so much more was needed, the transfer rumors have been swirling for the upcoming January window.

Names like Mats Hummels, Gerard Pique, Pedro and Dani Alves have all been “in talks” but those types of players fetch a hefty price.

According to the Mirror, Arsene Wenger will have a mere 20 million pounds to spend in January. But how believable is this small number? Arsenal spent next to nothing in the summer and if Wenger is expected to land a first-team center back and holding midfielder, then that number is way under the bar.

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But again, is that number a reality? We know that Wenger has about as much control over that club as anybody, and he should be able to spend just about anything he wants. If rumors like a 38 million pound double bid for Pedro and Alves are swirling, how then is the 20 million pound budget believable?

And if Wenger wants to add a world class defender like he says, then 20 million won’t cut it. That’s a sum that will not measure up to what our rivals can offer. Mats Hummels and Gerard Pique are the two hottest defenders on the market, both are looking at a price tag of 20-30 million pounds. But with Manchester United, Chelsea, and countless other squads pulling for these defenders as well, with a budget that surpasses Arsenal and with Arsenal sliding down the table, what are the odds we can nab a defender on a cut budget?

I think the budget is all hearsay. If Wenger wants money, he’ll get money. But we’ll just have to wait and see.

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