Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham reveals the truth about Unai Emery’s transfer budget

Arsenal supporters will be amazed to hear the news that the Gunners’ summer transfer budget is not restricted to just £40million, managing director Vinai Venkatesham claims. Arsenal have so far made three signings - Gabriel Martinelli for an undisclosed fee, Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid and William Saliba who was loaned back to St Etienne. It has been thought that Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is dealing with a limited budget of £40m but club official Venkatesham insists that there are no fixed parameters on transfer spending. Venkatesham said during the annual supporters’ clubs Q&A: “I don’t recognise this £40m figure, I have read it a lot. “That doesn’t come from us, that doesn’t come from the club. “The numbers never come from us. “We never ever, ever, ever talk about how much money we have to spend because that’s the least helpful thing you can do. “Raul’s job is hard enough, if you go into a negotiation and everyone knows how much money you’ve got, it doesn’t really help. “It is true that our funds are more limited after three years in the Europa League, but the budget isn’t £40m. “We have the budget to make a difference, but as Raul says, this is a particularly tough window and we’re in the middle of it. “I sense and understand the frustration, but there is a huge amount of misinformation out there in the market. “I read and am sent articles about players we’re supposed to have missed out on and they’re players we’ve never even talked about. “I get why sometimes it’s hard for fans to understand what we’re doing, but I’d say that’s because about 85% of what you read just isn’t true." What Jurgen Klopp told Manchester United target after Liverpool friendly