Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Unai Emery gets 'green light' to receive surprise windfall that boosts Arsenal's transfer budget

Unai Emery could do with his transfer budget at Arsenal being increased.

Reports claim the Spanish head coach has just £45m to work with following the club's double failure at securing Champions League football for the upcoming season.

Although, that figure hasn't stopped rumours of a £71m bid for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe emerging over the weekend, while Kieran Tierney and Everton Soares have also been linked.

What is for certain is that the Gunners squad is in need of reinforcements in certain areas ahead of the new season and Emery is understood to be targeting a new centre-back, left-back, a replacement for Aaron Ramsey and a winger.

Therefore, he will need a bigger warchest to get those deals done.

One idea to generate funds is to cash in on those surplus to requirements and another is to ask owner Stan Kroenke for extra money and  football.london understands a meeting is set to take place this week.

Another way to raise funds is with the help of a former player.

Ismael Bennacer impressed with Empoli in the season just gone, registering five assists in Serie A and it looks like he could very well be on the move during the summer window.

Last week, Empoli president, Fabrizio Corsi, revealed that a move to AC Milan was imminent.

"Bennacer? Something is missing between the agents of the player and Milan but I don't think it's anything serious," Corsi said, as per  Calciomercato ."They are discussing the details and I hope we can solve everything in 24-48 hours.

"It is a great opportunity for Bennacer, he would be foolish not to take it."

The proposed transfer is yet to go through and but is set to do so by the end of the week.

Bennacer, who has been one of the standout players at this summer's Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, was in the side which beat Nigeria to reach the final which takes place against Senegal on Friday.

According to Di Marzio, the Gunners have opted not to match AC Milan's €16m offer for Bennacer and there have given the 'green light' for the midfielder to join the Rossoneri.

As a result, Emery is set for a timely transfer boost as Arsenal reportedly have a 30% sell-on fee clause on any future Bennacer sale.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.