Arsenal’s determination to sign Mohammed Kudus sees the club reportedly planning to list six players for sale.

This strategic move is aimed to generate sufficient funds to secure the Ajax midfielder’s transfer.

Ajax's Mohammed Kudus (L) fights for the ball with Utrecht's Mark van der Maarel during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Utrecht at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, on May 21, 2023. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus (L) fights for the ball with Utrecht’s Mark van der Maarel during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Utrecht at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, on May 21, 2023. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s strategy to fund Kudus transfer

AL WAKRAH, QATAR: Mohammed Kudus of Ghana takes on Federico Valverde of Uruguay during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
AL WAKRAH, QATAR: Mohammed Kudus of Ghana takes on Federico Valverde of Uruguay during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Arsenal have reportedly set their sights firmly on Mohammed Kudus, the electrifying midfielder from Ajax.

To make this acquisition feasible, Arsenal have reportedly drawn up plans to sell six of their players, a calculated move to raise sufficient capital for the transfer, as well as to free up space in the squad.

Last season, Arsenal fell short of the Premier League title, claimed by Manchester City.

Since then, the Gunners have embarked on an impressive spending spree, splashing over €200m on signing Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurriën Timber from West Ham United, Chelsea, and Ajax respectively.

Now, with a keen interest in Kudus, the club needs to make strategic sales before further purchases.

To fund the Kudus transfer, Arsenal have identified Cédric Soares, Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pépé, and Albert Sambi Lokonga for potential sale.

All four players were loaned out last season, with Fulham, Olympique Marseille, OGC Nice, and Crystal Palace benefitting to varying degrees. Arsenal now seem ready to part with them on a more permanent basis.

Additionally, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding might also be on their way out of the London club.

These defenders, who saw limited gametime last season, may find their opportunities further reduced with the arrival of Jakub Kiwior and Jurriën Timber.

Speaking about potential incomings and outgoings, Mikel Arteta said ahead of the game against Manchester United in the States, “Obviously there will be movements still.

“There will be ins and outs. It’s still very early, the market seems to be a little bit quieter in the last week or so.

“If we can improve the team we will try to do so, but we don’t get any weaker, so we have to be really cautious of that as well.”

Plan B: Martin Baturina

Chelsea's US forward Christian Pulisic (L) fights for the ball with Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) and Chelsea (ENG) at The Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on September 6, 2022. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s US forward Christian Pulisic (L) fights for the ball with Dinamo Zagreb’s Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) and Chelsea (ENG) at The Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on September 6, 2022. (Photo by DAMIR SENCAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s management are not putting all their eggs in one Kudus basket.

If Kudus’s transfer fails to materialise, the club have reportedly expressed interest in 20-year-old Martin Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb.

With offers between €12m and €17m being considered, Baturina, who has caught the attention of German and Italian sides, may be a less costly, yet promising alternative to Kudus.