Sead Kolasinac’s Arsenal return means only one thing

In January Mikel Arteta kick-started his process of changing the culture at Arsenal. So-called ‘bad eggs’ were moved on from the club in whatever way possible, one of whom was Sead Kolasinac, who is due back in north London this summer.

Everyone had sort of…forgotten that he existed. No disrespect to the Bosnian but his departure to Schalke 04 in the winter window almost felt like a permanent move such was his non-involvement prior.

It was only a six month loan and his arrival failed to spark the unlikeliest of miraculous Bundesliga survivals for the club, who finished rock bottom of the division. Shkodran Mustafi’s arrival didn’t help their case.

The move was one Kolasinac was desperate for. Family reasons as well as a lack of minute at Arsenal prompted it, and the club happily sanctioned it. He had come close to sealing a permanent move away in the previous summer and extensive work went on behind the scenes to complete it, only for an 11th hour disagreement over wages to pull the plug.

Sead Kolasinac’s Arsenal return from Schalke 04 means only one thing as summer transfer window approaches

Schalke revealed their latest list of departees, confirming that they can’t afford to keep the 27-year-old at the club beyond his loan deal – which means he will be returning to Arsenal. It would be fair to assume he doesn’t feature in Arteta’s plans.

It would also be highly unlikely that anyone is willing to fork out a transfer fee for him and meet his wage demands. There is interest from Turkey and Italy, as per Chris Wheatley, but all those sides will prefer bringing him in on a free transfer. Which, realistically, is what is going to happen.

Kolasinac’s situation will surely result in another contract termination, adding to the wealth of recruitment failings of past and current regimes. In this case, Arsenal ‘won’ the race to sign him on a Bosman ahead of the likes of Manchester City, but recruitment has been so bad in north London that even when Arsenal ‘win’, they inherently ‘lose’.

So, is there scope for a change of heart? Could Kolasinac play out the final 12 months of his deal as Kieran Tierney’s understudy then depart as a free agent?

Heavens, no. Please.

Having not seen him kick a ball for almost an entire season we can be forgiven for forgetting just how poor he is. It’d be better having no backup left-back for the season and just playing Bukayo Saka as the reserve, a move that shouldn’t happen as his future is in attack and he deserves to stay there. But even as bad as that sounds it’s still more appealing than Kolasinac playing 10-15 matches next season – just imagine a 2021/22 Premier League team with him at left-back.

A contract termination feels inevitable and is just about all Arsenal can do to wipe their hands clean at this point. If they can accrue a fee for him? Well, that’d be just delightful.