Arsenal: 2 transfers to look at following Chelsea sanctions

The UK government have imposed sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in a landmark moment, freezing many of the Russian oligarch’s assets, including his beloved west London toy.

All of Abramovich’s UK assets have been frozen with Chelsea now only able to operate under a special license, although the sale of the Premier League has been put on hold barring an application for a specific license that would see him not be able to profit from the sale in any way.

Furthermore, the Blues are now effectively under a transfer embargo, therefore can not make any transfers of their own or renew any contracts. The sales of any merchandise have been put on hold, including tickets, meaning the only fans able to watch the club are season ticket holders at home.

The sanctions will, at present, last until May, by which time there is also the possibility of a nine point Premier League deduction should the club go into administration.

Arsenal: 2 transfers to look at following Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s sanctions with the Premier League side unable to make signings

Clubs across Europe, as well as those closer to home, will be looking at this as a possibility to snare some of Chelsea’s best assets. Manchester United, for example, may even ponder the idea of appointing Thomas Tuchel as their manager.

Of course, any transfers in and out of the club are frozen, therefore nobody is available for sale, but the whole situation has plunged Chelsea into doubt. The uncertainty isn’t just among supporters.

But it’s not just players currently on the books that will be eyed up by rival clubs, as one recent departee from west London might be worth the Gunners’ attention.

1. Tino Livramento – Southampton

Southampton’s recent transfer strategy is starting to pay dividends. Instead of scouring Europe for some of the better talents on offer they have looked closer to home. Delving into the academies of Premier League clubs for players unlikely to break into their side’s first team, they snagged Tino Livramento from Chelsea for £5m in August last year.

The right-back has had an excellent debut campaign for the Saints, his first taste of Premier League football, making 22 appearances in the top-flight including starting all of the club’s first 18 matches of the season up until injury.

All throughout this campaign he’s been superb. Still only 19 years old, he’s someone destined to go the top with the attributes and ability he has. His engine has been put to fine use in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s relentless pressing style, while he’s demonstrated physical and tactical maturity unexpected from someone tasting the league for the first time.

Say what you want about Chelsea, but they do have a fine academy.

Interestingly, the Blues inserted a £50m buyback clause in his deal – active from 2023 – one that, it would appear, they are unable to activate.

With Arsenal searching for a new right-back in the summer, likely to account for a hopeful Cedric Soares departure, Livramento is someone the club should be looking at. Young, homegrown, tactically comfortable and who appears to have an excellent attitude, it’s an opportunity for Arsenal to bolster their ranks with a player perfectly suited to the transfer strategy.

While even without the current sanctions this is a move Arsenal could have gone for, the general uncertainty surrounding Chelsea makes it even more worth delving into.

Outside of England there is someone else who won’t be making a swift return to Stamford Bridge any time soon.

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