Can Berta improve Arsenal's transfer market record?
Over the past few weeks, some of you have shared your disappointment in Arsenal's ability to make money through player sales.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's transfer to Liverpool in 2017, reportedly about £35m, still remains the club's record sale - a figure beaten by almost every other Premier League side.
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In the past 10 seasons, the other 'big six' teams have received more for a player 22 times between them.
Arsenal have made decent money from selling academy graduates, including Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, but their struggles lie in making returns on players who have cost massive fees. Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe were signed for a combined total of more than £170m and all ended up leaving north London on free transfers.
More players could leave the club for nothing this summer, with Kieran Tierney's departure already confirmed and midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho currently set to become free agents in June.
However, there is hope in the track record of recently appointed sporting director Andrea Berta.
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While he was at Atletico Madrid, France striker Antoine Griezmann was signed from Real Sociedad for £24.8m in 2014 and five years later was sold to Barcelona for £103m. Atletico then bought him back in 2021 for just £16.5m.
Future Ballon d'Or winner Rodri was signed for £16.5m in 2018 and sold to Manchester City the following year for £62.5m, while Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak signed from Benfica in 2014 for just £13m.
Can Berta have similar transfer success with Arsenal?
Only time will tell.
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