Arsenal have been given a clear incentive to sanction senior exits for some of their homegrown stars. As a selling club, the Gunners have struggled to get full value for departures with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £40million move to Liverpool remaining as the most they have received from a marquee exit.
Given the Premier League’s crackdown on spending limits, with profit and sustainability rules needing to be considered by every club, it is now more important than ever to try and achieve significant funds when selling players.
Last summer, Arsenal were only able to obtain a guaranteed €40million (£34.3million) from the sale of Folarin Balogun to AS Monaco despite the fact he scored 22 goals in France the previous season. Though the Gunners hold a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause for any future deal, that will not help the club’s present financial situation.
However, it must be mentioned that such future thinking has seen the Gunners benefit from Omari Hutchinson’s move to Ipswich Town, with Edu securing in the region of £4million from the sell-on clause inserted into his move to Chelsea.
With Arsenal still attempting to wrap up a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, more summer signings are likely wanted but they will only come if sales are made. In a trading period where academy stars with minimal Premier League experience have been sold for eight-figure fees, it is crucial Arsenal obtain suitable funds for a number of their fringe players linked to departures.
In comparison to Arsenal, Manchester City are excellent sellers with that fact yet again evidenced by Liam Delap’s move to Ipswich in a £15million move, with a further £5million available in add-ons. The 21-year-old, despite his glowing youth career, has played just 47 minutes of Premier League football with the bulk of his senior appearances coming in the Championship and yet City, add-ons included, could receive as much as £20million for his exit.
With the likes of Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah all being linked to an exit, Arsenal have been shown they really need to secure in the region of £80million if all three depart. Nelson, despite signing a contract last summer, has already communicated a desire to consider his options following a lack of minutes in the 2023/24 season.
Smith Rowe was another Hale End graduate offered minimal game time with Arsenal open to selling amid interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace. As for Nketiah, Marseille have made enquiries over his availability with the striker now likely considered behind both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order.
