Two transfers Arsenal can complete after FFP outcome with £98m agreement

Whilst their squad is cut down efficiently it opens them up to spending on improvements elsewhere, something that top four rivals Newcastle, in particular, aren't able to do. The Magpies are in their own tight position having spent big and hardly sold. The issue comes in the north east that their squad isn't large enough or with sellable fringe players to fund extra moves.

This leaves them susceptible to offers for some of their current standout players, players Arsenal have been linked with heavily this month. Chiefly amongst them are Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. Two of the beacons of the new Saudi regime at St James' Park, they could soon be representative of the new dawn of English football lead by player trading.

Chief executive Darren Eales has already opened up on the reality that FFP has left for Newcastle. "It’s difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players," he admitted. "Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club.

"Whether that is because of the contract length of the player in question, the offer is too good to refuse, you need to reload in certain areas, but all of this could make sense to trade that player. It is counter-intuitive and part of the inherent system of PSR that there is an incentive to trade your players if you want to re-invest."

On this note is has been reported that Guimaraes has agreed to a release clause in his contract worth a total of £98million and payable in instalments of £32million. It would help the Toon settle their accounts somewhat and comes at a time when Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and other top clubs are all looking to improve their midfield.

The Brazilian isn't the only one that could be freely on Arsenal's radar now their FFP position is clearer. Alexander Isak has also been linked with a move away and is one of the best forwards in the league. Compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry, Isak is a stellar striker but is also one of the most attractive prospects to other clubs, something Newcaslte will have to accept if they do want to invest in their wider squad moving forward.

Arsenal themselves know that sales will be needed in order to fund these moves but having escaped punishment for now, and with the chance to sell players such as Eddie Nketiah, Cedric Soares, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe in order to boost their kitty, they have something that Newcastle, and some of their other rivals, do not.

Arsenal are readying themselves for a quiet January transfer window but things could yet kick into life. Although football.london reported last week that there's every chance no business is carried out by the Gunners this month, the reality remains that they are looking at options regardless.

Mikel Arteta's side are in need of reinforcement across the pitch with both full-back roles currently looking shaky whilst Declan Rice could do with more help in midfield and the attack has been severely lacking in confidence in recent weeks. Given the general lull in the market though, it isn't an environment that caters to the demands of those looking for additions.

In an honest expression of how things lay Arteta himself admitted as much before the winter break, stating that Arsenal may not be able to sign the types of player they are aiming for. Given how largely strong the recruitment has been for the past two and a half years it does open up the prospect of a much more laidback month.

However, with the Premier League's financial clampdown for the 2022/23 season now being published - Everton and Nottingham Forest found to be the only two allegedly guilty parties - it does open up the chance to be a bit more expansive. Effectively, although Arsenal aren't blessed with too much leeway given their increased spending since 2021, they will have the chance to make up and balance the books.

The Premier League are set to implement new rules, or adjusted profit and sustainability regulations (PSRs) at the start of next season in a wider focus on ensuring fair practice across the top tier. Arsenal are likely to once again have until December to report their position, one boosted not only by being inside the threshold now but also the Champions League income that will be added to the financial sheet in the second half of the season.

If they are able to sell players swiftly in the summer, or even throughout the rest of this month, then there will be room to manoeuvre come the end of the year. For Arsenal this could be a defining period.