Arsenal In Line For Adidas Deal?
Rumours of Arsenal striking up a potential kit deal with adidas have been doing the rounds since the start of the summer. Arsenal's current deal with Nike - which has been in place since 1994 - runs until the end of the 2013/14 season, but there are suggestions that the Gunners could ditch Nike as soon as next season in a £25m deal with the German sports giants.
As part of a strategic decision to 'own London', adidas are lining up deals for both Arsenal and Fulham. Arsenal are currently one of the world s most valuable teams and adidas are hoping to revive their association with the club in a mega-money deal that would significantly improve their current £13m a year contract with Nike.
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Arsenal fans buy 800,000 shirts every year, making them Nike's third biggest club in their portfolio behind Manchester United and Barcelona. Adidas dropped Liverpool last season after frustrations over the clubs extension demands and their on pitch performances. Now adidas are looking to reinvest in a new Premier League power.
The adidas logo adorned the Gunners strip between 1986-94. A potential re-brand could give adidas the opportunity to reproduce some of the classic vintage shirts of that era. Chelsea currently stand as adidas' only high profile Premier League team in England. Adding Arsenal to their ranks would certainly re-ignite their replica rivalry with Nike. 
Arsenal's healthy financial state could put the club in a position to buy Nike out the final year of their contract, as Chelsea did with Umbro before moving to adidas. Interestingly, Arsenal have recently appointed a new Head of Retail - Simon Lilley - who previously worked at adidas for ten years. His influence could mean we see the three stripes on the red and white very soon.
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