The summer transfer window is for many Arsenal supporters all about the idea of strengthening the squad and seeing the first XI improved. There is a growing expectation that the club will look to spend big after a relatively timid summer market in 2024.
The financial results were positive and despite making a loss, revenues were healthy and overall the return to the Champions League and competing for the title has combined to push the club into a strong position. However, the problem with having strong results enabled by having top players is that other clubs become interested in their talent.
Arsenal are sitting on arguably the world's best centre-back pairing with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. However, both have been subject to links away from the club in recent weeks.
football.londonunderstands that the club remain calm on both player’s prospective contract situations where both will see their deals expire in 2027. William Saliba explained that he was happy with the club and wanted to continue, but did confirm that no talks had yet started.
"I'm really happy here," he said. "Because we have some years [to go]. There is no rush at the minute. I want to win big things with Arsenal."
However, when clubs like Real Madrid come calling, especially with the trend of players joining Los Blancos at the end of their deals, as seen with Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger, it remains a factor to consider. Gabriel Magalhaes is being linked with interest from Saudi Arabia, clubs who can offer massive wages to tempt stars away from Europe.
Arsenal would be expecting massive figures to even consider letting either leave, well beyond what some might consider their market value, with suggestions from many it would take over £100million to even think about a sale. Josh Kroenke has overseen, as co-chairman since Kroenke Sports Entertainment bought the club in its entirety in 2018, a rise back into title relevancy for Arsenal.
The idea of bringing in more than £200million for two players might seem like an amazing financial opportunity. But the reality is both players would need to be replaced and the pair have formed the bedrock of the Gunners' rise up the rankings and given them the best possible chance of winning silverware.
Equally, however, if it grows more likely that Arsenal could lose both at the end of their deals, any offers that come in that time could equally prove as increasingly tempting. Time will tell.
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