Andrea Berta will have to replicate Thomas Partey transfer history to land top Arsenal transfer targets this summer

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There are high hopes for a record-breaking transfer window at Arsenal this summer.

Arsenal have a £200m budget this summer and are in desperate need of firepower in attacking areas following this season’s shortcomings.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to add more trophies to his reign as Arsenal manager with the FA Cup triumph in 2020 the only success during his Emirates Stadium stay so far.

Strikers Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are on the club’s radar but there are a number of positions that Andrea Berta has been instructed to strengthen. He may need to replicate a rare transfer twist this summer.

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Thomas Partey the only release clause activated by Arsenal

Thomas Partey remains the only player in Gunners’ history to be signed by having a release clause in his contract activated.

Arteta orchestrated the signing of the Ghanaian midfielder for £45.3m (€50m) by activating the release clause in his contract on deadline day back in October 2020.

That strategy had not been used by the Gunners before Partey and is yet to be seen from the club since as they prefer to negotiate a fee with the selling club.

However, with competition stiff for top players this summer and Arsenal’s need for success on the pitch growing, we could be about to see another release clause activated by Berta.

Martin Zubimendi and Benjamin Sesko among targets with release clauses

Martin Zubimendi will join Arsenal subject to a medical however, it is unclear whether the club have activated a £51m release clause to sign the Spanish midfielder or have negotiated a different fee.

Reports suggested that Arsenal may actually be willing to pay slightly above that clause if they can structure the payments in a more sustainable way.

Sesko’s release clause of £67m is also on the table for the Gunners to activate but once again Berta is trying to negotiate an alternative payment structure.

However, Arsenal cannot afford to miss out on top targets this window, therefore if negotiations are slow and not progressing, they might have to bite the bullet and pay the full amount.