Arsenal are gearing up for what could prove to be one of their most defining transfer windows in a few years, with significant decisions to be made that could reshape the team heading into next season.
It all revolves around a potential £100 million decision surrounding centre-back Gabriel, who has attracted serious interest from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Arabian camp is reported to be formulating a hefty offer to win over the Brazilian defender to the Middle East, with a massive salary deal of up to £16 million per year.
Al-Nassr have contacted Gabriel’s agents already, and there are serious negotiations regarding his Emirates future.
This transfer places Arsenal in a delicate position. Gabriel, now on around £100,000 per week, has just two years remaining on his contract.
With an offer of this scale on the table, it would be hard to convince the 27-year-old to reject a transfer without offering a significant salary boost — one that would pinch the club’s purse strings.
But the dilemma doesn’t stretch just to Gabriel. The Gunners are also juggling contract extensions in the future for other stars like Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, whose contracts also expire in 2027.
Arsenal will not want a repeat of Liverpool’s current contract impasse with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold — when franchise players get nearer to free agency without being addressed.
In contrast, Arsenal are making massive moves in the transfer market, with an eye for attack. Mikel Arteta’s squad was left exposed after being plagued by a striker injury crisis throughout this season, and a fresh attacker is high on the agenda.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is tipped to be No.1 on their shopping list, though his proposed £150m valuation could be a potential deal-breaker. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has a £67m release clause, are also in the running.
Balancing those ambitions with contract renewals will be tricky. With Premier League clubs under pressure from Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Arsenal will have to make tough choices.
Selling Gabriel for £100 million could give the space for a major attacking signing — an appealing compromise as Arteta seeks to put the final piece of the jigsaw in place to mount a serious title challenge.
Having been so close in the title battle over the past three years but been denied by Manchester City and Liverpool, the margin for error is running out. With both of their principal opponents likely to get even more potent, Arsenal are aware that they must act speedily — and this summer represents their last serious chance to narrow the gap.
The coming weeks will let us know whether the Gunners choose to sell Gabriel to fund a new ambitious era or go whole hog and hold on to their nucleus. Either way, it is proving to be a summer at North London to remember.
