Arsenal transfer news: Gunners face summer exodus with Shkodran Mustafi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil among those up for sale
Unai Emery hopes to make five new signings this summer... but he needs to free up funds before he can bring anyone in
Arsenal are reportedly planning a huge summer exodus with Unai Emery keen on selling players to free up funds for incoming transfers.
The Gunners' quest to avoid a third successive season in the Europa League took a huge hit on Sunday with their chances of a top four finish in the Premier League all but gone due to their 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Emery's side can still overhaul Tottenham on the final day - though it is remarkably unlikely - but their real hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League rests on winning the Europa League this term.
They are in a good position to reach the final having beaten Valencia in the first leg of their semi-final, and then the north Londoners would be just one victory away from a return to Europe's elite competition.
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Getting back to the top table of European football would improve Arsenal's financial situation after a couple of miserly years, though missing out on the Champions League is likely to restrict Emery's summer transfer budget to just £45million.
This figure can rise if Arsenal sell players this summer, however, and report that Emery has a number of individuals he wants to get rid of.
Arsenal are already losing Petr Cech to retirement and Aaron Ramsey to Juventus at the end of the season, while it was recently confirmed Danny Welbeck will also be leaving the Emirates when his contract expires next month.
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It is understood these three departures will save Arsenal more than £1million a month in wages, and Emery hopes to also sell Carl Jenkinson, Mohamed Elneny, Shkodran Mustafi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to further reduce the club's wage bill.
Furthermore, Mesut Ozil is also a contender to be sold, though the report claims Arsenal are aware it will be hard to get rid of the German as there is little interest in him.
Emery hopes these exits will free up the funds to bring five new players to the Emirates this summer, as he plans for his sophomore season in charge of Arsenal.