The predicted summer outflux of talent from Premier League giants Arsenal has kicked into gear on Thursday afternoon.
The player to have sealed a departure from the Emirates? Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Greek international Mavropanos was of course farmed out on loan for the 2nd successive season last summer, linking up with German outfit VFB Stuttgart after a strong showing across the campaign prior.
The 24-year-old’s most recent move, though, came with a view to a permanent switch to the Mercedes-Benz Arena, with Stuttgart having secured an option to buy, set to become an obligation in the case of the club clinching Bundesliga survival.
In turn, after Stuttgart sealed precisely that in the most spectacular fashion imaginable on the final day of the campaign, Mavropanos’ signing has been made official.
🤯 Emoção no último minuto! O momento em que o Stuttgart assegurou o seu lugar na Bundesliga!pic.twitter.com/dm5B59I32L
— FutbooBR 🇧🇷 (@FutbooBR) May 16, 2022
In a post across the club’s social media platforms a short time ago, Stuttgart confirmed:
VfB’s top-flight survival has triggered a permanent move for Konstantinos Mavropanos, as agreed in his original loan deal from Arsenal. The Greek international, who scored four league goals for VfB this season, is now tied to the club until 30 June 2025.
Arsenal are understood to have pocketed an altogether underwhelming €3.5 million as part of the sale.
Atakan #Karazor and @DMavropanos have committed their long-term futures to VfB. ✍️#VfBhttps://t.co/lJILxLKlAq
— VfB Stuttgart_int (@VfB_int) May 19, 2022
Jesus latest
Turning attentions away from departures and towards potential arrivals at the Emirates this summer, a fresh insight was today too provided into Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Arteta and co. are known to be on the lookout for reinforcements to the club’s frontline ahead of next season, with current first-choice centre-forward pair Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette in line for respective free agent departures.
Manchester City hitman Jesus, in turn, has been identified as a prime target on the part of the Gunners.
If the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, however, then a move actually coming to fruition for the Brazilian appears somewhat unlikely.
This comes amid claims that, despite their attacking star having just a year to run on his current contract, Man City have slapped a £55 million asking price on Jesus.
Man City have told Arsenal their asking price for Gabriel Jesus is £55m. The Gunners are surprised by that valuation given he has one year left on his contract, will now decide whether to test City’s resolve or look at other options. Story: https://t.co/yWOjUqekKT
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) May 19, 2022
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