Arsenal: Bumper Sead Kolasinac offer shows striking intent

Arsenal have reportedly offered a bumper £119,000-a-week contract to Sead Kolasinac, revealing a striking intent to invest during this summer transfer window.

Arsene Wenger is an economical man. He has a financial plan that he unwaveringly, uncompromisingly sticks to, no matter the circumstance or the prospect. It is both a benefit and vice; he has been hugely positive for the stature of Arsenal football club while also restricting the calibre of players that they have recruited.

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That is not to say that he is unwilling to spend money – since 2013, he has signed Mesut Ozil for north of £40 million, Alexis Sanchez for £35 million and spent the best part of £100 million on new players last summer, including two over the £30 million mark. Rather, he is only willing to spend the money that is available to him.

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That is why the reports of a £200 million transfer kitty to dip into are so inconsequential. Ultimately, Wenger will spend the money that he feels is acceptable and is reasonable. Whether he has £1 or £200 million, he will not splash cash that he does not have and will not underinvest in areas of the squad that are in need of improvements.

And that is why the reports surrounding Arsenal’s potential contract offer to Sead Kolasinac are so significant and intriguing. The rumours claim that the Gunners, along with Manchester City, have offered the Schalke full-back a £119,000-a-week contract offer for when his current deal expires with the German club.

It is certainly a significant figure for a player at a position of relative insignificance. It is difficult to heavily influence the game from a full-back position, rather than, say, central midfield or centre-forward. And the recent surge in rumour has suggested that Kolasinac could well accept Wenger’s contract offer. However, the potential addition perhaps says far more about Wenger and his transfer intentions, than it does the quality or Kolasinac.

If Wenger is willing to shell out over £100,000 in wages for a left-back, then that certainly suggests that he may be willing to heavily invest in other players at more influential positions. It is reasonable to suggest that the wage offer is heightened because there is no transfer fee. But nonetheless, he would enter the squad as one of the better-paid players.

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And that is significant ahead of a crucial summer transfer window. Maybe, just maybe, Wenger has a decent amount of cash available to invest in a number of different players. If his intentions to sign Kolasinac are to be believed, then perhaps he will pursue other, higher profile players also.