Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been told to use whatever money it takes to land transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette and Shkodran Mustafi.
The pair could break the Gunners’ spending limit of £100 million for this summer as they have already acquired Granit Xhaka for £30 million, but the Gunners board have told the French boss he has freedom to use whatever funds are required to secure the double deal.
And in the current market, Lacazette and Mustafi would not come cheap, as reported by The Times.
Lyon are said to want close to £40 million for their forward who scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season as well as registering three assists. He had been courted by West Ham, but no move has developed thus far.
Arsenal are reported to have already made a bid in the region of £29 million for the Frenchman, which was rejected by his club. Lacazette is said to be keen on a move to work with Wenger.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Mustafi could cost up to £35 million from Spanish club Valencia, which had deterred Arsenal from making a bid so far.
Unlike Lacazette, the German was at Euro 2016 and made two appearances as his side reached the semi-finals. He scored against Ukraine in their opening match of the tournament.
The pair would help appease Gunners fans who have been rather frustrated so far this summer, with very little activity at the Emirates since Xhaka’s arrival.
Jamie Vardy, Alvaro Morata and Mauro Icardi have all reportedly turned down summer transfers to Arsenal.
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