Arsenal have allowed plenty of talent to leave the club for little-to-no transfer fees and in some cases even had to pay to resolve certain situations. Edu spoke recently about how he labelled these types of moves investments.
It may seem odd to many within the Arsenal fan base, although the club technical director does explain the process well. He told football.london the importance was better to ensure the unwanted player is moved on than a prolonged process of trying to find a financially beneficial solution.
“If you imagine, ‘Oh, no problem: this season we’re going to expose the player a little bit more and then we sell them’ — no, be realistic,” Edu said. “You don’t want to sell the player.
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“Try to avoid one more year with the problem inside, in the dressing room, expensive, not performing. Clean, take it out.
“Even, I’m sorry, if you have to pay. To leave is better. Because that guy is sometimes also blocking someone.
“I know it hurts, I know it’s strange when I go to the board and say, ‘Sometimes it’s better to pay a player to leave, than maintain them’. But I consider it an investment.
“Sometimes people say, ‘It’s expensive’. I say, ‘No, it’s investment’. But someone will pay if you sell? No, guys — if the player is above 26, 27 and not performing, big salary, no chance.”
Edu faces a similar situation with Hector Bellerin. It is no secret that the Spaniard wants to leave and return to Real Betis where he spent last season on loan helping them to a Copa del Rey title and European football.
However, Arsenal have been wanting a transfer fee for the player which the financially restricted Real Betis have been so far unwilling to provide. The situation is changing as Pepe Elias of BeSoccer Betis reports that the full-back would be willing to cancel the last year of his deal to join the Verdiblancos on a reduced wage.
This would be different to the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil. Two examples of what Edu has since described as ‘investments’ and Bellerin’s £100,000-plus per week deal written off would save the club upwards of £5 million.
Is this ideal? No. Arsenal should be looking to get a fee for all their players when they leave but when a situation is as specific as this, it is admittedly very difficult.
Bellerin has reportedly turned down interest from Italy with only Betis on his mind. This gives the buying club incredible power in negotiations, multiplied further with the player having just one year on his contract.
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