Financing Arrangement for Million-Dollar Agreement Between Rapid and Marko Arnautovic Unveiled
Let's Talk About the Hype: Peter Stoeger and Rapid Wien Set to Face Off Against Scheiblingkirchen in a Friendly Match
On the 5th of this month, Peter Stoeger, Rapid Wien's head coach, will scrutinize his squad, the Rapidlers, for the first time in an exciting friendly match. Kick-off is at 5 PM in Scheiblingkirchen, just nearby Wiener Neustadt.
Stoeger's primary focus seems to be on the central striker role in the new 4-3-3 system. Currently, options are scarce, with Claudy Mbuyi, a top scorer from St. Poelten, and Oliver Strunz, a returnee from FAC, being his only viable choices.
There's a shake-up in sponsors at Rapid right now. Dion Beljo, who's back in Augsburg and being chased by Dinamo Zagreb, used to be Rapid's sponsor. Ercan Kara could potentially join the team, but he's still tied to Samsunspor. Furkan Dursun, a promising talent who played for the U-21 national team, is still on holiday.
Despite the uncertainty, the Rumor Mill is buzzing with one name - Marko Arnautovic. On June 18, we reported that Rapid has made Arnautovic their number one transfer target. The chances of securing the 36-year-old haven't dwindled since then.
The Marko Arnautovic Sensation: Rapid Wien's Bold Move
Rangnick, the team coach, and the native Viennese Arnautovic himself have expressed interest in gaining match practice at a high level until the 2026 World Cup in the USA. However, the Arnautovic's high price tag is a significant stumbling block.
The player's asking price is reported to be around three million euros gross per season, well beyond what sporting director Markus Katzer can offer potential Rapidlers. Nonetheless, Stoeger is optimistic, stating, "Having an idea is never wrong." Katzer has been working tirelessly to transform that idea into a reality.
Rapid's Transfer Plans: From Arnautovic to Kara to Janneh
To tackle the financial hurdle, Rapid is considering creative solutions. By covering about a third of the gross salary and expecting additional income from increased attendance, jersey sales, and higher advertising value, they aim to finance their big-ticket signing.
The star factor of Arnautovic would likely boost jersey sales, particularly numbers 7 jerseys with his name emblazoned on them. Former CEO Knipping noted in the spring that even though last season's jerseys were controversial, they were selling exceptionally well at the start of the season.
Negotiations with Major Sponsors: The Final Piece of the Puzzle
Securing the remaining amount involves intensive discussions with major sponsors, long-term partners, and sympathizers. By onboarding three to four additional sponsors, Rapid could potentially generate an additional million euros.
The Bundesliga regulations permit teams to have an additional sponsor on their jersey, which can be changed match by match. If the deal goes through, Marko Arnautovic might return to Rapid 22 years after his youth years in Hütteldorf, but everything remains uncertain for now.
- Rapid Wien's ambitious plan involves signing Marko Arnautovic, a 36-year-old player who often plays as a striker, with the intention of preparing for the 2026 World Cup in the USA.
- Despite the high salary demands of Marko Arnautovic being a significant challenge, Rapid is exploring creative financial solutions, including covering a portion of his salary and generating additional income from increased attendance, jersey sales, and higher advertising value.
- To further finance the transfer, Rapid is in active negotiations with major sponsors, long-term partners, and sympathizers, aiming to onboard three to four additional sponsors that could potentially generate an additional million euros.
- The proposed deal would see Marko Arnautovic returning to Rapid 22 years after his youth years in Hütteldorf, but until the negotiations are finalized, the outcome remains uncertain.
