Arsenal have had their fair share of mishaps when it comes to allowing players to run down their contracts in recent years.
Mesut Ozil’s situation was a mess. Robin Van Persie had to be sold as he entered the final year of his deal, while Alexis Sanchez’s final months at the club were full of drama.
Arsenal once again find themselves in a sticky contract situation with Alexandre Lacazette, who is reportedly more than happy to leave as a free agent, but for once, Arsenal may be in a no-lose situation with one of their players.
Indeed, while Eddie Nketiah may end up leaving the club next summer once his contract expires, Arsenal are still in a comfortable position with the striker.
According to TalkSPORT, Arsenal may still receive £8m if Nketiah departs on a free due to the compensation English clubs receive when a young player departs under freedom of contract.
It’s a rule that protects clubs and gives them an extra incentive to bring academy players through.
Nketiah’s value will be judged at a tribunal, and TalkSPORT are led to believe Arsenal would get at least £8m for the striker.
£8m for a fourth-choice striker with just five Premier League goals to his name is great value, and, to be honest, it’s probably not that much less than he’d be worth if he were to be sold to another club.
Arsenal are in a great position here, they can call upon Nketiah if he’s needed in the cup competitions or amid an injury crisis, knowing that they have a decent windfall coming their way at the end of the season regardless of what happens.
Nketiah can do a job for Arsenal this season – after all, he was once described as an ‘extraordinary’ player, and the Gunners know they’ll still receive a decent fee if they can’t find a buyer or convince him to sign a new deal.
The London club have often been poor when it comes to handling their players’ contract situations, but this time, it seems as though they’ve actually manufactured a no-lose situation.
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