Arsenal’s £250m Adidas deal eases wage concerns

ARSENAL’S spending power will be further strengthened next year after the club agreed a major kit deal with German manufacturer Adidas.

The five-year agreement, which begins on July 1, is understood to be worth around £50 million (€57m) per season. They currently have a £30m-a-year (€34m) deal with Puma.

The agreement with Adidas represents Arsenal’s third off-field boost of the year at a time when a spiralling wage bill is putting increasing pressure on finances.

In February, the club agreed a new shirt deal with Emirates that will be worth more than £200m until 2024.

In May, they partnered with the Rwanda Development Board in a £10m-a-year deal that made ‘Visit Rwanda’ the club’s first sleeve sponsor.

Arsenal have been looking to close the commercial gap with Europe’s leading clubs as they try to fund a series of big-money contracts, such as those given to Mesut Ozil, PierreEmerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan this year.

It is believed Arsenal’s decision to withdraw a contract offer to Aaron Ramsey (above) was in part a result of the club’s spending limitations.

Head coach Unai Emery is expected to face significant restrictions in the January transfer window as a result of the club’s wage bill climbing to record levels.