Arsenal: 3 reasons why Diogo Jota is perfect
2. He is the perfect age
There is a growing awareness in the modern game to invest in players with financial return. With clubs, directors and managers smarter than they have ever been, teams have recognised the importance of smart recruitment that begets further smart recruitment.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win
One of the primary consequences of this is signing younger players who still carry a value in a few years when it comes to selling them on again. Signing a 28-year-old for top dollar and then having them leave for cheap when they are 32 and needing to be replaced is not smart recruitment, and it leads to teams being dismantled as they cannot keep up with the increasing modern prices.
Diogo Jota is only 23 years of age. He will not turn 24 until midway through next season. One obvious consequence of that is that he is still improving as he reaches his prime. He can better. He can also be a long-term starter at the club. Arsenal are not signing a two-year solution. Jota could be the starting winger for five-plus years.
More than that, however, he also offers excellent sell-on potential. This might be in the form of substantial profit after two or three years of excellent performance or for a similar fee as what he was signed for to sign his replacement in later years. 23 really is the ideal age to invest in.