An in-depth examination of the transfer dealings among the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ has uncovered a stark reality for Arsenal. Since the club’s landmark sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in August 2017 for a deal worth up to £40 million, their rivals have amassed over £1.15 billion from similar high-value transactions.
Currently eyeing a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Arsenal are reluctant to meet the £67.5 million release clause and hope to negotiate a lower fee. However, there’s an acknowledgement of the need to offload some of their assets first. With players like Reiss Nelson, Karl Hein, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Fabio Vieira potentially on the market, none are expected to command significant sums. Trossard and Vieira carry the most value, yet substantial offers remain elusive.
Arsenal’s improved transfer approach saw Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale sold in 2024 for near £90 million combined, though individual sales still fail to top the Oxlade-Chamberlain fee. Previous efforts under former sporting director Edu were perceived as underwhelming, with departures like Joe Willock and Alex Iwobi contributing £25 million and £35 million, respectively, and various academy graduates marking financial success.
Incoming sporting director Andrea Berta, lauded for generating sizeable funds at Atletico Madrid, faces a daunting task. His track record of significant sales, including Antoine Griezmann, Joao Felix, and Rodri – will be crucial if Arsenal are to emulate the feats of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool, whose player sales eclipse Arsenal’s record by large margins.
Liverpool’s impressive £250 million garnered from the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Fabinho, alongside Manchester City’s £330 million from notable departures such as Julian Alvarez and Raheem Sterling, serve as benchmarks. Chelsea, leading with over £400 million in sales including stars Eden Hazard and Mason Mount, set a further example.
Arsenal’s potential to break their sales record this summer largely hinges on Gabriel Martinelli, who could fetch a substantial sum, though a move remains unlikely. Previous reluctance to cash in on sought-after talents, exemplified by rejecting a £50 million bid for Alexis Sanchez from Manchester City, has contributed to the club’s current predicament.
Speculation surrounds the future of other talents such as Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori, with potential suitors from Italy and Spain possibly looming. Meanwhile, Saudi interest in Arsenal stars like Martinelli and Trossard has yet to materialise in fruitful agreements.
While their competition routinely navigates substantial player sales, Arsenal must adapt to secure financial footing and return to the summit of English football. The current transfer window shows little indication of a record-breaking sale, but the landscape remains unpredictable, and strategic manoeuvres could shift Arsenal’s fortunes in future windows.
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS: