Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reportedly been given permission from the club hierarchy to spend whatever it takes to sign his top two targets.
The Gunners have already splashed out this summer on midfielder Granit Xhaka, but in order for them to compete for major honours this season, more is certainly expected.
A striker had been top of their transfer shortlist with the likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott failing to deliver goals consistently enough in recent years, and in turn that is why the club made a bid for Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.
However, they saw that bid turned down by the Ligue 1 outfit, as confirmed on their official Twitter account, and so it remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal return with an improved offer.
Further, Wenger has seen his plans further complicated after Per Mertesacker suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season that will sideline him for a few months.
As a result, the French tactician will need to bolster his central defensive options, with Laurent Koscielny set to miss the start of the new Premier League season having been given additional time off after Euro 2016.
Whether or not new summer signing Rob Holding or Calum Chambers is able to step up and successfully partner Gabriel remains to be seen, but it’s led to speculation that Arsenal will act in the market.
In turn, Wenger has been linked with making a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, with the German international seemingly his top choice.
As reported by The Guardian, the Arsenal boss has been told that he can have ‘whatever transfer funds it takes’ to secure his main targets.
Given the spending happening around him, Wenger will be under pressure to now deliver some big names between now and the deadline, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will act on those two players in particular, as suggested by The Guardian.