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Arsenal facing losing battle with transfer policy after falling£37m short of primary target

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Arsenal transfer news## Arsenal are facing scrutiny over their summer transfer policy which left them £37million short in their hopes of signing Morgan Rogers

12:48, 22 Jul 2026

Arsenal have lost out on two key targets this summer in the form of Morgan Rogers and Jeremy Monga. The Gunners had a combined valuation of the pair of £86.5million (£80million and (£6.5million), whereas the combined confirmed fees, inclusive of add-ons, were £43.5million higher as each player moved to Chelsea and Manchester City, respectively.

football.london understands that Arsenal have a clear policy when it comes to player evaluations this summer. Sporting director Andrea Berta wants to ensure that the club do not overspend on their targeted players.

However, the market has evolved in ways that perhaps the club did not foresee. Manchester City dropping a £116million bid to agree a deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson radically changed the market, with clubs like Aston Villa re-evaluating their own players’ potential sale value.

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It is no surprise that Rogers’ sale price went for one million pounds more than Anderson’s as a result. Arsenal were still not budging on their price when Chelsea agreed the fee despite being offered the opportunity to do so football.london understands.

Arsenal have always had principles when it comes to spending money in the market, long before Mikel Arteta arrived and long before the Kroenkes took full ownership of the club. Arsene Wenger was notorious for being scrupulous with the finances and wanted to ensure the club was run well and didn’t overstretch.

The problem many have is that now Arsenal are again champions and earned more from prize money, plus broadcast and commercial revenue in a year than ever before, and they’re still unwilling to go the extra couple of miles to get the players they want and need. Rogers is gone, and other targets like Bradley Barcola appear equally, or perhaps even more, expensive; the expectation has to be that Arsenal will not be moving for these stars either.

The move for Bruno Guimaraes needs Arsenal to stretch, with Newcastle United adamant the Brazilian will not be sold. Any chance of that stance changing will need the Gunners to offer big money, beyond what perhaps they’re comfortable doing.

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It is unrealistic that Arsenal, in this particular market, regardless of how much it might irk them, can operate within their own confines and restrictions. Losing out on Guimaraes would be a disaster.

Arsenal are fighting a losing battle when it comes to their strict policy on player valuations. Something needs to give, and soon.

Tom Canton

Tom Canton

Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV

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