Arsenal: 5 next player sales lined up for new transfers

The summer transfer window is set to take a backseat in the coming weeks as the European Championships and Copa America prepare to fill our screens. Supporters can take their minds away from everything Arsenal for a little while at least and bask in the delights of international tournament football.

But not all can. Arsenal may not be able to conclude much incoming business while the Euros are underway but they can certainly facilitate some departures. Granit Xhaka is next to be on the move as Roma close in on his signature, which when concluded leaves Arsenal with just three members of their squad away in Euro 2022.

Bukayo Saka is going nowhere and nor is Kieran Tierney, while Bernd Leno, who is linked with a departure, is unlikely to move mid-tournament. The rest of the squad is fair game though, as numerous departures are expected.

It sets the coming weeks up for wholesale exits ahead of potential incomings, with Ruben Neves currently the hottest rumour on the mill.

Arsenal: 5 next player sales lined up for new signing in summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta eyes changes

One expected departure is Hector Bellerin who had been linked with Atletico Madrid of late. That interest has been backed up by CBS Sports’ James Benge, who states Arsenal will hold out for £20m for the right-back as he looks set for new pastures.

Mutually agreed that it’s time to bid farewell, Los Rojiblancos will push for his signature should Kieran Trippier move to Manchester United as expected. Paris Saint-Germain remain in the running should they be priced out of a move for Achraf Hakimi.

In a normal market and with a stronger individual season behind him, Bellerin could easily fetch £35m with two years left on his deal. Sadly, when factoring in his form and the current state of football finances across the globe, £20m would be a decent fee; indeed, if Arsenal can raise that. At least they know Atletico Madrid have a few quid lying around.

Granit Xhaka is the obvious next one, and the deal closest to being completed. Arsenal are holding out for £20m again, although Roma are bargaining for less. Whatever the outcome, it will be done in time for Switzerland’s Euro 2020 opener on Saturday.

More departures are due to raise funds for incomings and three of those are expected to come from the academy.

Continued…

Arsenal Eye Reiss Nelson Sale With Interest Clubs

Something of a Hale Exodus is afoot with Arsenal as CBS Sports also mention that Reiss Nelson is someone the club are looking to sell this summer to raise funds.

Nelson is a peculiar one in that while he has no real future at Arsenal with no clear pathway to the first team, it would actually make sense not to sell him. Loan him out for 12 months and let his value soar (it will, regular minutes will see him lift off) and then he can return with a year left on his contract and be sold for a higher price. If he suffers wherever he goes, his value surely can’t decrease from what it is now.

But the club are looking to sell with Bundesliga sides holding a keen interest. Demarai Gray, who was similarly out of the picture at Leicester and training with the second team for the entire campaign, was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £2m in January with just six months remaining on his deal. Depending on who the interested sides are, Arsenal could fetch a decent enough fee.

Elsewhere on the list are Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock, who will be sold for the right price. For the former, Arsenal should be earning around the £20m mark due to his contract situation, versatility and Premier League experience. There is interest in him across the division.

Joe Willock remains the undecided one with fans split on what to do with him, but you do feel (fear) as if Arsenal would accept £20m if it came. While that’s far below his value and he could easily go for more, the wheels are in motion as far as a midfield overhaul is concerned with three of the other five headed for the exit door.

CBS’ report doesn’t mention Ruben Neves but does bang the drum whose tune everyone is familiar with as Martin Odegaard and Yves Bissouma remain key targets. Fortunately in Arsenal’s case, neither of those two involved in an international football tournament this summer so at least some inroads can be made.