Arsenal Eyes £100M Windfall: Player Sales to Boost Finances

Arsenal plans to bolster their finances by over £100 million this summer by selling at least eight surplus players. They narrowly missed the title by two points in the 2023-24 season, finishing second in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons. Consequently, the club no longer needs a major squad overhaul. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, last summer’s marquee signings, significantly improved Arsenal’s performance. Despite Jurrien Timber being hindered by an ACL injury, he is expected to play a key role next season.  Manager Mikel Arteta plans to bring in a new striker and defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window and he may also add a left-back and goalkeeper depending on player exits.

Several players who fell down the pecking order in the 2024-25 season plan to leave in search of regular playing time elsewhere. The exodus began on Monday when Arsenal confirmed the free transfers of Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares. The club now focuses on offloading fringe players, including four Englishmen: Aaron Ramsdale, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. Transfermarkt values Ramsdale at £21.3 million and Arsenal expects to fetch at least that amount, given his previous performances before David Raya replaced him. Raya’s Brentford loan will soon become permanent. Arsenal aims to secure up to £30 million for academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, valued at £25.5 million.

The club also targets £20 million each for Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe, despite their limited playing time. They value Nelson at £12.8 million and Smith Rowe at £18.7 million. However, Arsenal has struggled with player sales in recent years. Additionally, Arsenal plans to sell midfielders Thomas Partey valued at £15.3 million and Albert Sambi Lokonga, valued at £12.8 million. Lokonga, who is already seeking a move, returns to North London after a loan spell at Luton Town. He joins left-backs Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney on the transfer list. Tavares (£12.8 million) and Tierney (£10.2 million) were loaned due to Arteta’s preference for an inverted left-back. Arsenal must avoid accepting lowball offers as they work to offload these fringe players.