Last week we saw several youth players depart, along with the releases of first team squad members Sebastian Squillaci, Andrei Arshavin and Denilson. This week rumours are growing that Arsenal will continue to shift deadwood in order to fund big money moves. The key thing is moving on players before buying, it’s harder to sell when the buyer knows you can’t afford to keep a player.
Next up in the slaughter line are Niklas Bendtner, Johan Djourou and Gervinho. Because of the high wages all three players are attracting many loan proposals where the club are only looking to pay a percentage of the players wages. Arsenal and Arsene will be pushing for permanent moves for his players, hoping that the trio are prepared to sacrifice a bit of money for first team football.
Gervinho is a player that Wenger isn’t actively looking to sell, but if an offer comes in at equal or above the £8million he paid for the Ivorian, the Frenchman is unlikely to turn it down. Bendtner is a player who will definitely leave – a fee of around £5million would likely seal a deal. Johan Djourou is the third player, he looks all set for another loan move, with the player keen to stay in Germany.
There will be many more departures from the Emirates this summer with the likes of Chamakh, Coquelin, Fabianski and Mannone heading for the exit. The club hope to raise in excess of £25million from sales – hoping that doesn’t include selling captain Thomas Vermaelen whose future remains uncertain.