Arsenal will have to be resourceful in the upcoming January transfer window to secure some important deals for the squad. The signing of David Ray on loan in the previous summer window was an important indication that the club was operating within the boundaries of financial fair play.
The best way to secure the transfers of new stars such as Ivan Toney, Dominic Solanke and Pedro Neto, all of whom were linked with transfers before the winter, and to avoid the scrutiny of financial obstacles is to bring in the money. The success in the UEFA Champions League certainly contributed to this, as they finished first in the group and won four of their six matches.
However, Chelsea found in the summer that, due to the amortisation of contracts, transfer costs are spread over the duration of the contracts – up to five years following a recent change in the rules that has been implemented. The sale of players does not distribute the sale price, so it shows up as a big plus in the accounts for the financial year.
The problem, of course, is to figure out which players could leave in the winter window in order to have as much freedom as possible in January. Cedric Soares is the most likely to go, as there are already links with Villarreal, but this is unlikely to bring in many funds, if any.
The two players who could bring some money are both from Arsenal’s Hale End academy. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson have been on the Arsenal bench for most of this season – Nketiah has started a couple of times when Gabriel Jesus has been missing.
Given the links with Toney and Solanke, it seems Arsenal could only bring in a striker by losing one, and Gabriel Jesus certainly isn’t going anywhere. It could be that a number of clubs lower down the pecking order will be looking to Nketiah to provide them with the goals they need.
If Brentford or Bournemouth were to lose Toney and Solanke respectively, it would make sense that Nketiah might even be included in the transfer. Reiss Nelson has just signed a new contract, after his academy teammate extended his contract a year earlier, and could benefit several teams.
There was a lot of interest in signing the winger for free in the summer, both from inside and outside the Premier League. Having seen players from top Premier League clubs move for big money despite a lack of minutes, Gunners sporting director Edu Gaspar expects this to be repeated with the mid-twenties duo.
Their homegrown status, long-term contracts, good age-group and now Champions League origins have only added to their reputation. In my personal opinion, if Arsenal could manage to get £50 million together, they would do very well, but they should certainly hope for at least £40 million for the two of them together.
That would open up a lot of freedom in the market for new investment in several areas, but the departures in the attacking line would certainly encourage moves in that area. Nevertheless, Arsenal still have needs in midfield and defence.