Ian Wright says he is struggling to understand Arsenal’s transfer strategy, with the club reportedly willing to sell academy graduates for profit while pursuing some of the biggest names in world football.
The former Arsenal forward’s comments come with the summer transfer window still open and the Gunners continuing to reshape their squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Arsenal were open to selling Ethan Nwaneri. The club had also offered Myles Lewis-Skelly to both Manchester United and Chelsea as they explored the possibility of selling an academy player for a significant profit.
At the same time, Arsenal have strengthened their squad with a number of high-profile signings, including Bruno Guimaraes. They were also linked with Vinicius Junior last month in what would have been a record transfer for the Real Madrid winger.
Arsenal, the Premier League champions, remain active in the market and could still bring in another major signing before the window closes. That potential recruitment has been accompanied by efforts to move on young players developed at the club.
Any prospect of Arsenal signing Vinicius Junior has now ended, however, after Real Madrid officially announced that the Brazil international had signed a new contract with the Spanish club until 30 June 2032.
Speaking this week, Wright said he could not understand how Arsenal could have been pursuing such an expensive deal while also looking to sell academy players to raise funds.
“You know what’s confusing? How can we be in for Vinicius Junior when we’re looking to break records trying to sign this guy but now we’re desperate to sell. What’s going on?
“We’ve got a big squad and somebody has to leave but it seems like everyone leaving Arsenal is going to Turkey, that’s another thing.
“The unfortunate thing you get when you’ve got a player who comes through the academy and breaks in to the first team and does what they do, you’ve always got that noose of pure profit on them.
“It’s the same with Ethan Nwaneri. I’m hearing now that they’re not going to sell him they want to loan him which I’m quite pleased about because I don’t think at any stage he’s had a run to have a go at playing in that team.”
Wright’s concern centres on the pressure placed on players produced by Arsenal’s academy. He believes their emergence into the first team can make them financially attractive assets, even when they have not been given an extended opportunity to establish themselves.
Nwaneri, in particular, has been linked with a possible move away from north London. Wright said he would prefer the teenager to leave on loan rather than be sold outright, giving him the chance to gain regular first-team football and prove his value.
Arsenal have 11 days remaining before the transfer window closes. Their next fixture is against Coventry City on Friday night, when Mikel Arteta’s side begin their Premier League campaign. The club’s decisions over further recruitment and the futures of its younger players are expected to remain a major focus before deadline day.
