Now that the season is over, Arsenal’s focus can fully turn to the transfer market.
Mikel Arteta and Edu have already drawn up plans for what they want to do this summer, but know that their ability to recruit players is likely to be impacted by the Gunners’ restricted budget.
With the ongoing financial impacts of COVID-19 and no European football for the first time in a quarter of century it seems as though money is going to be tight around the Emirates.
Arteta has already promised to be “ruthless” as he seeks to overhaul his squad to get them back up into the European places, and will know that if he wants to be active in the market, he will likely have to generate some funds from player sales.
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In many ways his job has been made easier by the fact that Arsenal will only be competing on three fronts next season. This means he can afford to have a smaller squad and use this transition period as a chance to cut the numbers in the existing group.
One player who looks set to be axed is Hector Bellerin, who is likely to leave the club this summer ending a ten year association.
The Gunners rejected a reported £25 million bid from PSG for the Spaniard last summer, but now with the 26-year-old having just two years remaining on his contract, the Gunners may accept a similar offer if it was forthcoming this time around.
Alexandre Lacazette is another who could well leave.
football.london understands the club intend to offer him a one-year extension to his current deal, which itself only has one year left on it.
However, if the Frenchman does not accept these terms the brevity of the extension put forward by Arsenal implies they would be willing to sell while they get a fee for him this summer.
The 29-year-old (who turns 30 later this week) has interest from clubs in Spain, Italy and France and after one of his best ever goalscoring seasons for the Gunners could fetch between £25-30 million.
Another place where Arsenal might look to generate some transfer funds is from their highly rated group of Hale End stars who have been in and around the first team this season.
The most likely to leave is Eddie Nketiah, who has just one year remaining on his deal and is unlikely to sign an extension unless game time can be guaranteed.
As the England under-21s leading goalscorer he would command a fee in the region of £15 million, especially when you consider the prices Premier League clubs have been willing to pay for the likes of Rhian Brewster and Dominic Solanke, who have similarly impressive records at age group level for the Three Lions.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also move on to pursue his dream of playing Premier League football in central midfield after failing to do enough to impress Arteta in the position while playing there on loan for West Brom in the second half of this season.
As an England international capable of playing multiple positions who still has two years remaining on his contract, Arsenal would be looking at a fee in the region of £20 million for the 23-year-old.
Two other Hale Enders who are less likely to leave are Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.
Nelson’s development has been stunted this season by the arrival of Willian and his failure to secure a temporary move away in the January transfer window.
He has two years remaining on his deal and Arsenal would like hold on to him and send him out on loan to get some game time next campaign if possible, but if a bid in the region of £15-20 million came in for the winger they would consider it.
Willock, on the other hand, is a prime example of what can happen when a loan does happen and goes well.
(Image: Getty Images)
After becoming the youngest player in Premier League history to score in seven consecutive matches during his time with Newcastle, the 21-year-old’s value has sky rocketed.
Mikel Arteta has said the midfielder is in his plans next season but Steve Bruce has promised to ‘test Arsenal’s resolve’ this summer, and an offer of around £25-30 million might be enough to do it.
There are plenty of other players within the Gunners’ army of 17 loanees who could also move on this summer.
Schalke had intended to keep Sead Kolasinac after he joined them for the second half of this season, but after they were relegated from the Bundesliga, Die Koenigsblauen can no longer afford him.
Kolasinac is still likely to leave Arsenal this summer though and football.london understands the Bosnian has interest from German and Italian clubs, with a £10 million offer likely to be enough for the 27-year-old, who has just one year remaining on his deal at the Emirates.
Matteo Guendouzi and Dinos Mavropanos also spent time on loan in the Bundesliga this season.
The 21-year-old midfielder is still surplus to requirement after struggling with yet more disciplinary issues during his time with Hertha Berlin.
As the captain of France’s under-21 side and someone with undoubted potential he could still fetch a decent fee this summer despite having just one year left on his deal. Marseille are reportedly interested and could bid in the region of £15 million for him after just about qualifying for the Europa League via Ligue 1.
(Image: MICHAEL SOHN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mavropanos, on the other hand, could only leave Arsenal temporarily this summer after Arteta decided he is not in his plans.
Stuttgart have expressed a desire to extend his loan there following a good spell this season after the Greek international was able to recover from a meniscus injury.
However, with just two years left on his deal the Gunners may look to get a decent fee for the 23-year-old while they can this summer, with Mavropanos valued at around £10 million.
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Lucas Torreira is almost certain to leave the club this summer after an underwhelming loan spell despite claiming a La Liga winners’ medal with Atletico Madrid.
The Uruguayan’s father has said that he would like to return to South America to be closer to his family after the tragic passing of his mother, with Boca Juniors being touted as potential suitors.
However, with two years still left on the 25-year-old’s deal Arsenal will not want to let him go for less than £20 million, meaning that a move to Serie A, where he reportedly has a few clubs interested in him, seems more likely.