Arsenal have emerged as a shock destination for one of European football’s top defensive prospects Matthijs De Ligt as per the mail.
De Ligt became the first defender to win the coveted ‘golden boy’ award in 2018 fighting off competition from Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and fellow dutchman Justin Kluivert. The centre-half would cost in the region of £70m this summer.
How can Arsenal afford De Ligt when they couldn’t afford anyone in January?
The Ajax academy graduate would cost in excess of £70m but that wouldn’t be a problem if these things happened:
- Qualify for the UEFA Champions League through finishing top four or winning the UEFA Europa League
- Selling players to raise funds e.g Mesut Ozil…
It is estimated that Arsenal will have a transfer budget of around £40m up to £100m as per BBC Sports David Ornstein in the summer before and after sales and regardless if they qualify for the Champions League or not.
David Ornstein said: “It’s difficult for Arsenal because they don’t know what money they’re going to be playing with, there is some suggestions around the £40m mark, depending on what competition they get in, I’ve been told that it could be around £100m to spend.”
Arsenal were stricken by financial fair play and were unable to increase their wage bill in January but the new season gives the gunners new leeway to expand by investing in the squad.
Matthijs de Ligt:
– youngest debutant for Holland since 1945
– youngest Dutch international with 10 caps since 1933
– youngest player to start a European Final
– youngest Ajax captain in history
– youngest captain in a Champions League knockout matchGenerational talent. pic.twitter.com/P2MAvW2Gze
— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) February 16, 2019
The 19-year-old has worked with Arsenal icon Dennis Bergkamp and more interestingly Marc Overmars who is currently the leading candidate to take over as sporting director at Arsenal which could help fight off competiton for the youngsters signature from Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool.
