Arsenal could sell three homegrown stars to fund midfielder move

Arsenal will hope to keep the Premier League title race alive when they face rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. 

The Gunners currently hold a one-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game-in-hand and remain favourites to lift the title for a record fourth consecutive time.

Regardless, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be desperate to see his side defeat the Red Devils and keep alive their title pursuit.

Off the pitch, it appears that those in charge of the club’s transfer policy have made a huge decision ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Football Insider, the North London club could sell three academy graduates this summer in order to fund a move for Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian midfielder is one of the Gunners’ top targets ahead of the summer window, but Arsenal may have to sell players before moving for the 26-year-old.

The report claims that Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah could all be sold during the upcoming window, as any fees received for the trio can all be recorded as pure profit when it comes to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Nketiah could be sold this summer

All three players have been involved in the first team at Arsenal for some time now, to varying extents.

Nketiah, 24, has played 37 times this season and made more than 160 appearances for the club in total, but he has failed to establish himself as the Gunners’ first choice striker.

Midfielder Smith-Rowe has suffered with injuries and lack of fitness this term, limiting him to just three Premier League starts so far this season.

Nelson has also struggled to establish himself as a regular under Arteta, and the club could accept offers for all three players this summer as they look to raise funds for a move for Guimaraes.

The Brazil international has a £100 million release clause in his current contract, but it is set to expire at the end of June.