The Gunners could bid farewell to a whole host of players this summer
Arsenal have enjoyed a busy start to their summer transfer window. Alongside wrapping up a £65 million deal for Kai Havertz, the Gunners are edging ever closer to reaching agreements for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to the tune of £105 million and £40 million respectively.
But while much of the early focus has been on potential incomings, there could still be something of an exodus from the Emirates over the next few weeks. We’ve taken a look at 10 players who may well have already played their final match for Mikel Arteta’s side, as well as considering where they might end up before the end of August.
Granit Xhaka
Up until very recently, it seemed pretty much certain that Xhaka would be headed to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen this summer. In more recent days, however, there have been suggestions Mikel Arteta could look to block his exit and utilise him in his plans next season. That may still happen, but certainly, if he were to leave, nobody would be too shocked.
Kieran Tierney
The Scot has struggled for consistent opportunities since Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived in north London, and as such has continually been touted for a potential exit in recent months. Newcastle United remain one possible destination, but there has also been talk of an unexpected return to Celtic now that Brendan Rodgers is back at the helm.
Emile Smith Rowe
Again, some uncertainty surrounding this one, and in truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the midfielder was still at his boyhood club next season. Smith Rowe has admirers at Aston Villa, now managed by Unai Emery, of course, and a lack of minutes at the Emirates could turn his head, but as things stand, he is very much an Arsenal player.
Folarin Balogun
Speaking of turning heads, Balogun is cutting about the gaff like that kid from The Exorcist. The striker desperately wants regular first team minutes, and has made it very, very clear that he is willing to leave Arsenal to get them. All sorts of clubs have been linked in recent weeks, and with a reported price tag of £40 million attached, the Gunners might be happy to oblige if a suitable offer does come in.
Charlie Patino
The highly-rated midfield talent has long been talked about as one of the most impressive recent products of Arsenal academy system. There is, however, a growing expectation that he will leave this summer, and likely on a permanent deal. According to some reports, the Gunners will insist on inserting a buy-back clause into any agreement.
Nuno Tavares
The full-back spent last season out on loan in France, and the general consensus is that he doesn’t have much of a future at the Emirates. A permanent exit wouldn’t be too surprising at this stage, with West Ham emerging as prospective suitors for the Portuguese star.
Nicolas Pepe
When – and it really is a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ – Pepe leaves Arsenal, the club are going to have to take a significant hit on the £72 million they paid for him in 2019. Since that transfer, he has endured a torrid time, and has shown little of the quality that convinced the Gunners to spend so big on him in the first place. A move back to France feels like he most likely outcome, but at this stage, nothing is concrete.
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