Mikel Arteta might have already indicated when Arsenal will finalize their £129m transfer deals.
Arsenal might part ways with several players this summer as Edu works to offload some of the club’s unwanted stars.
Despite a remarkable 2023/24 season where the Gunners narrowly missed the Premier League title by two points, Mikel Arteta failed to secure a trophy, and everyone associated with the north London club will aim for a different outcome next season. An active transfer market is one strategy to achieve this.
With the summer transfer window opening on Friday, Edu can start reshaping Arteta’s squad. While new players are expected to join in the coming months, several current stars are also likely to leave.
Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who were all on loan last season, are expected to be moved on by Edu. Their estimated values are £10.2 million for Tierney, £12.7 million for Tavares, and £12.7 million for Lokonga, which could help Arsenal comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Additionally, at least five other players might leave Emirates Stadium this summer. Aaron Ramsdale (£21 million) might seek more playing time after losing his spot to David Raya. Thomas Partey (£15.3 million) has just one year left on his contract, and Emile Smith Rowe (£18.7 million) has seen limited action over the past two years and is likely to attract interest.
Eddie Nketiah (£25.5 million) and Reiss Nelson (£12.7 million) are also potential departures as they search for more game time. If Edu sells all eight players mentioned, Arsenal could generate around £129 million in transfer fees.
As Arsenal prepares for their pre-season tour in America in July, Arteta has hinted at a preference for completing transfer business early in the window. However, with Euro 2024 and Copa America taking place this month, this could be challenging.
Arteta stated, “That’s the ideal scenario,” when asked if Arsenal hoped to finalize their transfers early. “Every club wants that, we want that as coaches and for the players especially. Then for the team and for the environment. When you do that something clicks there and it’s really important because it starts to give you momentum.”
Arteta hopes to offload surplus players before pre-season begins to have a clear understanding of the squad for the 2024/25 campaign. Whether Edu succeeds in this remains to be seen.