{"id":19893,"date":"2026-07-22T04:03:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T04:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19893"},"modified":"2026-07-22T04:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T04:03:16","slug":"opinion-arsenal-should-not-be-pressured-into-paying-inflated-transfer-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19893","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: Arsenal should not be pressured into paying inflated transfer fees"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Football supporters are naturally impatient during the transfer window. Every rumour is dissected, every signing is compared and every day without an announcement can feel like a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n

But as Dan Smith argues, there is a difference between strengthening a title-winning squad and simply spending money because everyone else is.<\/p>\n

Have you ever known (or been) a child who has birthday or Christmas money burning a hole in their pocket?<\/p>\n

They have zero concept of budgeting. They just want to buy something new, usually the first thing they see. As the adult, it\u2019s your job to educate them, especially when you know they\u2019ll be bored of the new toy within days and asking for something else a week later.<\/p>\n

Now, I would never call my fellow Gooners childish, but some supporters do seem more frustrated by who Arsenal have not<\/strong> signed than by whether the players available actually represent value.<\/p>\n

Like a parent dealing with a child desperate for the latest gadget because their friends have one, a section of our fanbase appears more concerned that our next-door neighbours are spending money than what they are actually spending it on.<\/p>\n

At the end of last season, I didn\u2019t hear many Arsenal fans suggesting the Premier League champions should spend close to \u00a3100 million on Sandro Tonali or around \u00a385 million on Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s approaching \u00a3200 million<\/strong> on two midfielders who didn\u2019t even feature at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Just say that out loud.<\/p>\n

Portugal chose to leave one midfielder at home, while another was relegated with his club, yet those are the kinds of fees now being discussed.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s put that into perspective.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not as though Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 is moving across London.<\/p>\n

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(Photo by Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arsenal don\u2019t have to pay over the odds<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It isn\u2019t a weakness if Arsenal refuse to pay inflated prices.<\/p>\n

Football is still a business, and the Kroenke family didn\u2019t become billionaires by investing in assets that weren\u2019t worth their market value.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re buying a house, you view the property, assess its condition and then decide whether you agree with the asking price.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t make an offer simply to tick a box.<\/p>\n

Arsenal have generated significant revenue over the past 12 months, but that doesn\u2019t mean the club should spend for the sake of spending.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t me being arrogant, but we are currently the best team in the country having won the Premier League 2025\/26.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not in a position where we have to overpay just to improve the squad.<\/p>\n

Success should not change sensible decision-making<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve heard people say, \u201cWhy should we care about money that isn\u2019t ours?\u201d<\/p>\n

My answer has always been the same.<\/p>\n

If you genuinely love your football club, you should want what\u2019s best for it in every area, including how it spends its money.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve got no issue with Arsenal paying more than \u00a3100 million for a footballer if that player dramatically improves our starting eleven.<\/p>\n

So far this summer, though, I\u2019m yet to see Andrea Berta lose out on anyone who falls into that category.<\/p>\n

Dan Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you agree with Dan\u2019s view? Should Arsenal remain patient and refuse to pay inflated transfer fees, or is this the summer to spend whatever it takes to stay ahead of the competition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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ADMIN COMMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow\u2026.<\/p>\n

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.<\/p>\n

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link\u2026<\/p>\n

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