Arsenal is in the midst of its most successful season in two decades. However, they’re not going to slow down any time soon. Sporting director Andrea Berta has been laying the groundwork to boost the strength of the team, with reports suggesting spending well beyond £200 million this summer.
Since Berta arrived at the club, he’s already made some strong signings. Martín Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Christian Nørgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, to name a few.
For summer 2026, though, the targets look even bigger. And with the potential Premier League win, it’s looking very promising.
The Commercial Engine Funding the Spend
Funding the £200 million is the Gunners’ commercial engine. The Emirates Airline sponsorship, the Adidas kit deal, and partnerships with Visit Rwanda have increased their transfer money enormously.
The sponsorship partners of Arsenal also generate a healthy amount of revenue. Deals like this naturally generate a lot of revenue for clubs, with many predominantly from the sports betting and casino gaming industries, including sites that allow users to play the best online slots. These partnerships give clubs like Arsenal an opportunity to have revenue share partnerships.
Adding to this, you have the Champions League final in Budapest on 30 May 2026. This will provide another major financial boost. UEFA prize money alone would be enough to secure some of the deals Berta is looking for.
The Big Names on Berta’s Shortlist
The main target this year is the Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. Latest reports suggest that he’s worth about £130 million. Whether Atlético will be persuaded to sell Álvarez is another question, however.
Beyond Álvarez, Berta has also been looking to scout Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Atalanta midfielder Ederson, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández.
Together, all of these targets amount to about £200 million. Therefore, a Premier League win and Champions League prize money will certainly help Berta and his plans. A sale of some established players could also help, like Ben White and Leandro Trossard.
What the Champions League Means Financially
Reaching the Budapest final on 30 May 2026 has changed Arsenal’s summer finances. They’ve already earned around €83 million from the 2025/26 Champions League run. They have the potential to win another €6.5 million if they win, so the total earnings may even exceed €90 million.
This is just from the tournament itself as well. Commercial sales will likely increase if they win the Champions League. High-level sponsorship deals, shirt sales, etc., will also get a comfortable boost.
Why This Summer Matters More Than Any Other
The 2025/26 season has shown what the squad can do at its best. Though great, it has also highlighted some shortcomings. One of these shortfalls is in their centre forward position, which is where they’d like to put Álvarez if the signing is a success.
If Berta can land Álvarez, it could strengthen the already strong squad without completely dismantling it. And with potentially £200 million+ on the table, this is the most exciting transfer window for Arsenal for a while.