Arsenal have been spending big money in recent windows. In fact, their spending has exceeded half a billion in the last half-decade.
It is however only in the last two summer windows that Arsenal has taken a new approach to recruitment. A drive to bring younger players to the squad and blend them with world-class experience has been adopted by technical director Edu.
With six 23 and under talents joining in the summer just gone, it points towards the club pursuing players down the other path in the near future. Adding the world-class quality to help raise the performances of the youth acquisitions.
Raheem Sterling has been speaking recently about his openness to a move in search of more playing time.
"If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it at this moment in time," said Sterling.
"As I said, football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.
However, Arsenal could save an incredible amount by being smarter with their search and look to take advantage of the contract expirations of plenty of players in the summer.
Sterling is valued at £81 million according to Transfermarkt and when a player such as Lorenzo Insigne sees his deal with Napoli expire this summer, Arsenal could plot a move for a bargain.
The Italian lit up the European Championships with goals and assists and could be the added experience Arsenal is lacking in their front line.
However, it is not just the attacking third of the field in which Arsenal can utilise this tactic. Central midfield is another area where quality and depth can be acquired.
Franck Kessie, Corentin Tolisso, Marcelo Brozovic and Boubacar Kamara all currently will see their contracts run out barring any agreement with their current club.
All four would signify improvement to the roster of midfielders at the club and Tolisso in particular would provide plenty of experience that Edu is looking for.
In defence, Arsenal are well stocked but should they find the likes of Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari or William Saliba leave due to a lack of playing time then there are options in the market.
Niklas Sule from Bayern Munich, Jason Denayer of Lyon and James Tarkowski from Burnley are all facing the prospect of becoming free agents in the summer.
Arsenal have the scope and plenty of opportunities to save money and yet still add significant quality to the ranks. However, the last free signing the club made was Willian. The hope will be this experience hasn’t put off the club from investigating the free transfer market further.
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