Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta 'to have £150m summer budget'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may reportedly have £150m to spend during the summer transfer window.

The Spaniard was given the funds to make numerous additions to his squad last year, the end result being an unforeseen Premier League title challenge.

That bid was slowed in recent weeks, Manchester City now in prime position to leave Arsenal to have to settle for second place with the opportunity to move four points clear against Leeds United on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the Gunners have already secured a return to the Champions League, their initial primary objective before they opened up a notable advantage at the top of the table earlier in 2022-23.

Despite the focus on trying to keep pace with City over the coming weeks, attention is naturally being paid to Arsenal's business in the transfer market.

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Earlier this week, it was claimed that a six-player wishlist had been compiled behind the scenes as club officials contemplate how to use their budget.

According to The Independent, the budget in question will be set in the region of £150m.

The report states that allocation will include any money generated from player sales with Arsenal expected to recoup a substantial fee for Folarin Balogun.

Arteta are also allegedly willing to consider any realistic offers for Kieran Tierney, as well as Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe who, like Balogun, are out on loan in France.

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Arteta is said to be eager to sign a new defender, midfielder and forward, particularly for central areas with regards to the latter two positions.

West Ham United's Declan Rice is known to be a target, with any proposal likely to need to be in the region of £100m to tempt the Hammers into a sale.

Moises Caicedo could emerge as a more realistic alternative, although Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly adamant that they receive £70m for the Ecuador international's signature.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is believed to be an option, while Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby could be strongly considered by the Arsenal hierarchy.