Arsenal have finalised a deal to bring Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero to the club, following a long-standing agreement.
Andrea Berta played a key role in bringing them in, and both players completed their moves on Thursday after all terms were finalised.
The Gunners see Edwin as an attacking winger who’s ‘left-footed, quick and a skilful dribbler’, while Holger is viewed as a ‘technically gifted, attacking midfielder’.
The Gunners had already been tracking the young pair for some time and have now moved quickly to get everything in place ahead of their arrival at the Emirates Stadium in 2027.
To get more insight into how such deals are structured for two 16-year-olds, Adam Williams, Head of Finance for Arsenal Insider, has shared his perspective on what’s involved.
Arsenal’s decision to spend big on Edwin and Holdger Quintero makes sense
At first glance, putting £9 million down, as reported by BBC Sport, on two 16-year-olds with no European experience looks like a bold call from Arsenal.
But when you factor in their potential, that kind of money could end up being a smart investment. The upside is there.
Williams told Arsenal Insider: “16 is the age when players start to get more exposed to the rigours of first-team football. Within the next two or three years, value can absolutely explode. So paying nearly eight figures for a pair of 16-year-olds is a gamble, yes, but one with a huge upside.
Their stock could rise quickly in the next few years, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone at Arsenal. The club clearly rates them highly.
Add in names like Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly – all tipped for big things – and it’s easy to see why there’s so much optimism around the academy setup right now.
The squad has serious potential and could be in prime position to make a real mark across Europe once these young talents fully break through.
£9 Million Quintero twins signing well within Arsenal’s budget
The club’s Premier League Squad Cost Ratio allows them to easily cover the fee for two players they clearly rate highly, without any financial concerns.
With a budget of around £610 million for domestic competitions, £9 million plus additional costs like wages and agent fees is relatively insignificant.
Williams also added: “Under the new SCR rules, you’re getting in at the ground floor and acquiring two players who could – hypothetically – be worth 10 times as much in the future, but with only a fraction of that £9 million counting towards your transfer amortisation costs each year.”
If you include agents’ fees and other related expenses, let’s estimate the total cost at £10 million. When their five-year contracts begin in 2027, only £2 million of that will be counted annually due to amortisation.
Williams continued: “You have wages on top of that, but they will be very modest for the time being. Arsenal’s SCR budget is going to be something like £510 million under UEFA’s system and £610 million under the Premier League system. £2 million plus wages is a drop in the ocean there. As a cash expense, it’s trivial too.”
“£9 to 10 million is chicken feed for a club like Arsenal these days,” Williams explained. “And they must be pretty confident in their scouting given recent success in the academy department, so I personally see these as pretty low-risk deals.
“If they are successful, there’s also something very marketable about twins. That’s a very clinical way to look at it, especially with people so young; but that is how big clubs like Arsenal operate.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
