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Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi has insisted that the club’s summer transfer policy will not be affected should they fail to reach the Champions League.
The Gunners will return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three seasons if they can see of Chelsea in the Europa League final next week.
Unai Emery’s side are expected to be active when the window reopens and have already been linked with a number of red-hot talents.
The Spaniard is keen to add upwards of four new faces to his squad, though it was thought budget will be dependent on winning the Europa League.
Arsenal will meet Chelsea in Baku (May 29)
Asked about the impact of the Champions League on transfers, Raul Sanllehi the club’s website: ‘That’s something that comes into the conversations. Fortunately enough, the image of Arsenal is strong enough.
‘We are a reference in the football world, so when Arsenal knocks on the door of players it’s a different knock than other clubs. Of course, the fact that we have not been in the Champions League for two years and we are in question marks now for the next year, that’s not helpful.
‘But again, the image of Arsenal is strong enough to help us build a case about all the model we are bringing up, the new era that we are bringing up. It’s very exciting. The passion of the coach that is projecting to the team, it’s seen by everybody in the football world.
Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi says targets will not change
‘Not only internally, but externally. We’re getting that a lot from players that we’re talking to, that they really get that it’s a nice place, that it’s a very good place to be, Arsenal, in order to project a good football career. So we are building on that.
‘Of course being in the Champions League is very helpful, because all players want to play in the ultimate competition. For us, if by any chance we would not be there next year – which I don’t think is going to happen – but if that happened, our challenge would be to get in there immediately. Players that come and join us and get into that successful project, it’s an exciting thing for them.’
The Spaniard added: ‘London, Arsenal, the history, the dimension of the club, the stadium, the facilities at Colney, the fanbase, the followers around the world and the exposure. Really, I feel like I have a lot of ammunition when I talk with players to engage them in our project.’
