Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are set for a big few months ahead of them, both on and off of the football pitch. For the Spaniard, primary focus will be on Champions league qualification, with the Gunners sat in fifth and having to overcome North London rivals Tottenham to earn fourth back.
The promise of Champions League football would not only see a long-awaited return to Europe’s top competition, but would also allow for a greater chance of success in focus two. Transfers.
The allure of the Champions League will only strengthen Arsenal’s position in signing quality players, with a number of positions needing to be strengthened this summer. With a lack of strikers, midfielders and overall depth, it looks like a frantic summer could be in order.
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However, after already spending £150million last summer in a complete squad reshape, funds may be a little harder to come by if the Gunners are looking to spend the same amount of money. Given the current market and the players needed, it is possible that much investment is needed.
In order to raise some money for Arteta’s spending spree, players may have to be moved on, but the club won’t be wanting to weaken either. They can do that by moving on a number of players currently out on loan, freeing up wages, some transfer funds and all without impacting the first-team squad.
According to Transfermarkt’s value section, per Reddit, Arsenal are in a good position to capitalise on this too, with the second highest value loan army currently away from the club in Europe. The valuation is set at €129million (£107million), something that would be more than enough to fund the Spaniard’s ambitions if all ten loan players moved on.
The only team with a higher valuation are Atalanta, who have a huge list of 64 players on loan and a transfer value of €145million (£121million). It is something any team would envy having, though future UEFA loan rules could curb their current system.
Arsenal’s recovery to compete for Europe again has taken time and investment, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They need to continue investing if they want to keep building and eventually compete for the title.
In the meantime, raising funds for a number of players on loan could allow Arteta to have his dream summer window.
