Arsenal will be aiming to profit from Manchester City’s move for Jack Grealish this summer.
According to reports from various outlets on Friday morning, the England and Aston Villa midfielder is edging towards a £100m move to the Etihad Stadium, with official confirmation apparently expected after Euro 2020.
Previously a reported target for Arsenal, the Gunners will of course have been disappointed to miss out on the midfielder’s signature especially after his seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season.
Nevertheless, it could therefore help the Gunners in a few different ways as they aim to bolster their squad under Mikel Arteta.
The prime boost that Arsenal are set to receive is that any potential pursuit of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling could be somewhat easier.
With more competition on the flanks at the Etihad Stadium, this could see the current City duo pushed down the pecking order.
With Arsenal already interested and Pep Guardiola willing to sell the pair, this may make negotiations over a potential swoop somewhat easier.
A lower fee for the attacking pair would also be a huge benefit considering the imminent £50m deal for Brighton defender Ben White.
football.london understands a deal is close for the centre-back, a move which would become Arsenal’s third-most expensive arrival in their history. After all, Arsenal's cash reserves are not set to be considerable having missed out on European football for the 2021/22 campaign.
Meanwhile, Grealish’s arrival at Manchester City could also see the indirect benefit of the Gunners being able to keep their best players.
It has previously been reported that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen his forward options and has Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang under consideration.
The Blues are also keeping their eyes on Erling Haaland - alongside Manchester City - so with the latter having forked out a considerable fee for Grealish, this might see them be slightly wary of another mega-money transfer this summer at the very least.
This therefore could give Chelsea a free run at the Borussia Dortmund hitman which would then see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remain at the Emirates Stadium.
