Arsenal have had an unprecedented transfer window, spending over £250 million on seven players.
After finishing second for the third consecutive season in the Premier League, Andrea Berta sprung into action in the market, bolstering Mikel Arteta’s squad in almost every position.
Viktor Gyokeres arrived for £63 million from Sporting CP, while the likes of Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze have also been signed for in excess of £50 million.
While the Gunners still want to add a versatile defender before the window slams shut, they’re also looking to shift several players out the door.
Arsenal could sell multiple players to the same club for first time since 2011
Jakub Kiwior is close to a move to Porto, with the Gunners and the Portuguese side currently negotiating over a deal.
The Pole is one of the more saleable assets in Arteta’s squad, and Arsenal are eager to cash in on him while his stock is high.
The player is also keen on leaving to play regular football, and thus, the deal makes sense for all parties.
Alongside Kiwior, Porto are also said to be interested in Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
It was reported earlier in the window that the Primeira Liga outfit cannot afford to meet Arsenal’s asking price for Vieira, although with a move to Stuttgart collapsing and with time running out to find the midfielder another move, the Gunners could compromise.
Meanwhile, Zinchenko has been linked with Fenerbahce, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund this summer, although a deal hasn’t advanced on any of these fronts.
The Gunners may be happy to sanction deals for the Portuguese and the Ukrainian to go to Portugal, just to get their wages off the wage bill and to ensure they’re playing football next season.
If they do this, it will be the first time Arsenal have sold multiple players to the same club in the same transfer window since 2011.
That year, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy both left the Emirates for the Etihad, joining Manchester City in big-money moves.
Arsenal selling players to Porto is not ideal
Arsenal and Porto are currently locked in intense talks over the details around Kiwior’s switch, with there still said to be a gap in the valuation of the obligation fee.
The Gunners are looking for €30 million for the defender, while Porto’s current offer is worth €25 million.
If a deal at either of these fees materialises, Kiwior will become Porto’s second most expensive signing ever, while he’d become their highest-paid player if he retains his current wages.
Thus, selling to Porto is far from ideal for Arsenal. The European giants don’t have the financial capacity to pay the sorts of fees the Gunners are looking for, or the players the wages they demand.
This could mean Berta ends up having to sanction disappointing deals for both Vieira and Zinchenko.
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