Arsenal's £100m Gamble: Arteta Set for Record Deal as Gunners Target Rogers or Kroupi

Arsenal are preparing to hand Mikel Arteta a contract worth more than £20m per season, making him England's highest-paid manager following their first Premier League title in 22 years. The Gunners are simultaneously exploring £80m-plus moves for either Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers or Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi.

The double investment signals Arsenal's determination to avoid the fate of Liverpool, who sacked Arne Slot at the weekend just 12 months after lifting the Premier League trophy.

Arteta Set to Become England's Highest-Paid Manager

Arsenal have made finalising Arteta's new contract their summer priority, with the Spaniard's current deal expiring at the end of next season. Initial talks were shelved to focus on the title run-in and Champions League final, but will resume when Arteta returns from holiday.

The Financial Package

Sources have told BBC Sport the new contract would represent a major increase on Arteta's current £10m base salary plus £5m Champions League qualification bonus. The deal would see him move "far closer" to Pep Guardiola's earning power after the Manchester City manager's departure.

Guardiola's contract was worth a minimum £20m per season. Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has already signalled the club's intent:

Keeping Mikel around is an utmost priority and I think the good news for Arsenal fans worldwide is he's enjoying the project.

The new deal is expected to run for a minimum of three years, with club officials confident of reaching an agreement well before next season begins. Arteta's powerbase at the Emirates has increased significantly after ending the 22-year title drought and reaching the Champions League final.

Rogers and Kroupi: The £80m Question Mark

Arsenal have identified three primary forward targets for the summer window: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth), and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid). The pursuit comes despite Arsenal spending £250m on new players last season.

The Leading Candidates

Rogers and Kroupi are both expected to cost in excess of £80m each, while Alvarez is valued at more than £120m with Barcelona also interested. The 23-year-old Rogers offers versatility across the forward line and is reportedly open to joining Arsenal, though Manchester United are also monitoring his situation.

Kroupi presents an intriguing option after the 19-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals in his debut season, a record for a teenage debutant. His age profile fits Arsenal's recruitment strategy of targeting players who can develop under Arteta.

Tactical Considerations

Questions have been raised internally about whether Rogers represents a priority given Arsenal already have Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze capable of playing in central attacking areas. However, Rogers' ability to operate from the left has been noted as a valuable asset.

The club's dream signing remains Alvarez, though Barcelona's serious interest complicates any potential deal for the Argentina international.

The Sales Arsenal Must Make to Fund Their Ambition

Arsenal's ambitious plans come with a significant caveat: the club are "mindful of ensuring finances are balanced" after last season's spending spree and lucrative title-winning bonuses. This means player sales will be crucial to funding new arrivals.

Forward Department Clear-out

The club are open to offers for several attacking players:

• Gabriel Jesus - Could be sold to make room for a new striker
• Gabriel Martinelli - Despite his importance, not untouchable if the right offer arrives
• Leandro Trossard - Contract expires in 12 months, making this summer crucial
• Ethan Nwaneri - Academy graduate returning from Marseille loan, could represent pure profit

Wider Squad Trimming

Arsenal are also prepared to listen to offers for Christian Norgaard and Ben White, while Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson can leave. Jakub Kiwior has already been sold to Porto for £14.7m.

The club are giving "serious consideration" to a homegrown sale this summer, which would represent pure profit on the balance sheet. This financial manoeuvring is essential given the scale of investment required for Arteta's new deal and a marquee forward signing.

What Happens Next

Arsenal face a delicate balancing act over the coming weeks. Securing Arteta's signature remains the absolute priority, with negotiations expected to intensify once he returns from holiday. The club's ability to land either Rogers or Kroupi will likely depend on how quickly they can generate funds through player sales.

The spectre of Liverpool's rapid decline looms large. After spending heavily to back Jurgen Klopp's successor, the Reds went from champions to also-rans in 12 months. Arsenal's willingness to invest shows they understand the stakes, but their need to balance the books could determine whether this summer strengthens their dynasty or plants the seeds of future instability.