The idea that any of Arsenal ’s current starters might move on from the club when they are at the peak of their powers in the last decade and a half seems strange. However, with the growing presence of Saudi Arabian money in the game, it is luring players away from Europe thanks to the massive wages they can pay.
Gabriel Magalhaes is the latest player that has been linked with a potential exit. The Brazilian was Mikel Arteta’s first investment as Arsenal manager having signed Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares on loans with Willian a free transfer.
The Brazilian has proven to be an astute purchase and was highly rated in the Arsenal squad among the side pushing for the Premier League title last season, even creating debate around who out of William Saliba and himself had the better overall season. That takes some doing.
The idea that Arsenal could lose such a key figure at this stage of the season and summer, having just lost Jurrien Timber seems mad. But, football is very unpredictable at times and who knows what kind of money could be offered to both club and player to tempt a sale.
However, Arsenal should take something of a warning from their London rivals West Ham United. The Hammers sold Declan Rice to the Gunners for a record fee of £105million.
In the wake of the sale they have been faced with some serious challenges in player negotiations. They are finding that with rival clubs, in the knowledge of their injection of cash from the sale, prices for their own targets have increased.
Therefore, hypothetically, were Gabriel to be sold for a massive figure and with the window being in such a mature stage at this point, any chance of finding a replacement on a similar level or higher than the Brazilian would surely wipe out the funds raised from the exit. This dynamic makes it almost a lose-lose situation for Arsenal.
Fulham are experiencing issues with Aleksandar Mitrovic who has been tempted by a switch to Saudi Arabia. Initially, the west London side had stood firm that he was not for sale but the pressure of the move seems to be telling.
Were a club to come in for Gabriel, Arsenal would hope their standing, project and inclusion in the Champions League would be enough to outweigh the enticement of a contract that would surely far eclipse what the Gunners agreed in their own contract renewal earlier this year. Thankfully, that renewal has given the north London side plenty of control and the hope will be the window will shut with Gabriel still an Arsenal player.
