Arsenal could break their transfer sales record on three occasions after waiting nine years for the opportunity
The year is 2026, Arsenal are Premier League champions, having spent close to a billion pounds on transfers. The club has reached new heights and broken records under Mikel Arteta.
However, the club’s record transfer sales have been in place for close to nine years. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in 2017 after Arsene Wenger sanctioned the move for £35million.
Ever since, no player’s move has yet broken such a record. The likes of Alex Iwobi and Folarin Balogun came close, but as of yet, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has since won the Champions League, the Premier League, moved to Besiktas and won the Turkish Cup, and most recently moved to Celtic, where he became a Scottish league and cup double winner, remains the record-holder.
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That said, this summer the record could finally be broken, and several times over, too. The Gunners are in a strong position financially after their achievements this season; however, they have a deep squad and will need to move some players on to make room for new signings.
One such player who could break the record is Gabriel Martinelli. The 25-year-old Brazilian posted an emotional end-of-season message to social media, which many interpreted as something of a potential goodbye.
Martinelli looks likely to be replaced as football.london understands left wing remains a priority area for the club to strengthen in during the transfer window. With a year and an option to extend remaining on his contract, the club are in a good position to ask for a sizeable fee, many hope above £40million, for the winger.
There are several others who could leave, such as Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson, but none of whom would come close to the record. However, youngster Ethan Nwaneri is definitely a player who the club will seek a serious fee if he decides to go.
Having signed a new contract last summer, the club have a very good hold on the player’s future, but there is believed to be interest domestically and abroad. football.london understands that the player came close to joining Borussia Dortmund last summer, and their interest has remained despite a frustrating loan spell with Marseille.
Lastly, recent reports suggest Real Madrid are keen on Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori. The left-back has been brilliant for Arsenal, but injuries have affected his time in North London.
Should the club be open to letting him leave, it would take a serious amount of money, perhaps even double that of the current sales record, to part company with the 24-year-old. With interest in Nathaniel Brown and the permanent move for Piero Hincapie being completed this summer, Arsenal would be prepared, but there will be significant opposition to any potential move for a fan favourite.
