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Arsene Wenger backed to pursue Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger can afford to sign targets such as Manchester United's Wayne Rooney this summer, chief executive Ivan Gazidis has claimed.
Gazidis has indicated that Wenger will be given significant financial backing in the transfer market this summer, as the Frenchman looks to add to his squad at the Emirates.
Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for Rooney after Wenger admitted he would not turn down the chance to sign the England star.
And a potential swoop for the 27-year-old forward - who handed in a transfer request at United at the end of last season - is a reality according to Gazidis.
"If Arsene thinks signing big names is the right thing to do, [then] yes [we will do]," said Gazidis. "This year we are beginning to see escalation in our financial firepower."
Rooney's wage demands mean the Gunners would need to fork out around £200,000 per week to sign the former Everton star - with United likely to ask for a transfer fee of at least £25 million.
Wenger is expected to be handed a £70m budget in total to bring in new players to the North London outfit this summer, with Marouane Fellaini among his other targets.