Kevin Campbell thinks Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun could be sold for a ‘significant amount’ in order to aid the transfers of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice.
The Arsenal legend stated on the Highbury Squad that the defensive-midfield duo could be purchased for ‘£180 million’ this summer, as Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta look to take the club to the next level.
The futures of Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun are in doubt, and whilst their possible transfer exit fees won’t cover what Arsenal would have to pay for either Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo, it certainly helps along the way.
Tierney has become a back-up player under Arteta and he is looking for first-team football – Aston Villa and Newcastle United are set to fight it out for his signature.
Whilst Hale-End academy product Balogun scored 19 goals in France’s top-tier this season, so his stock is the highest it has ever been.
Either way, if those two players are sold, then Campbell is expecting serious money for their talents.
“There is Tierney and Balogun,” said Campbell. “Those two I think can bring in a significant amount if you are going to trade that way.
“I think getting the engine room right is going to be key because of the Champions League. If you spent £180 million on Declan Rice and Caicedo, they are going to be part of your club for the next ten years. It’s £8-10 million a season. It’s cheap money when you break it down. But it hurts when you spend it.”
Important summer transfer window for Arteta and Edu
The duo have been on a rocky road since working together at Arsenal, but the trust they have been building is now beginning to grow.
They have made some big calls over the years, and some very questionable ones, but this is the club’s most important summer under their stewardship.
Expectations levels are as high as they have been because of what the team produced this season, even if they missed out on the Premier League title during the last few weeks.
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