Arsenal is on the brink of finalizing the transfer of Emile Smith Rowe to Premier League rival Fulham, as the Cottagers have made a record-breaking bid for the talented midfielder who has fallen out of favor.

This potential transfer could result in a historic financial gain for Arsenal, significantly boosting the club’s financial resources and enabling them to reinvest in new talent.

In light of Smith Rowe’s anticipated move to Fulham, we’ve compiled a detailed overview of the five most expensive transfer sales in Arsenal’s illustrious history.

5. Alex Iwobi: A £34 Million Transfer to Everton

In a dramatic Deadline Day move in 2019, Everton secured the signing of Alex Iwobi for an initial fee of £28 million, which could rise to £34 million through various performance-related add-ons.

Iwobi rose through the ranks of Arsenal’s youth academy, making 149 appearances and scoring 15 goals for the Gunners. However, he struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter in the first team.

On this day in 2016…

Alex Iwobi opened his Gunners account pic.twitter.com/jmChtATUcl

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 19, 2024

His transfer to Everton opened up new opportunities for Iwobi, who went on to be named the Toffees’ Player of the Season for 2022-23. That following summer, he made a return to London, joining Fulham for a fee of £22 million, showcasing his ongoing relevance in the Premier League.

4. Folarin Balogun: A £34.3 Million Move to AS Monaco

In another significant sale, Arsenal transferred Folarin Balogun to AS Monaco for a notable fee of £34.3 million in 2023, further reflecting the club’s ability to capitalize on their academy talent.

Despite making only two league appearances for Arsenal, Balogun had an impressive loan spell at Reims, where he netted 21 goals in Ligue 1, which undoubtedly caught the attention of Monaco. This transfer made Balogun the fourth-most expensive player in Monaco’s history, joining a list that includes football stars like James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao.

The USMNT international continued to impress, scoring eight goals in 34 appearances during his debut season at Stade Louis II, solidifying his reputation as a rising talent in European football.

3. Alexis Sanchez: A £35 Million Departure to Manchester United

Alexis Sanchez was a fan favorite at Arsenal, and his departure left a bittersweet feeling among supporters. The Chilean forward arrived from Barcelona for £34 million and made a significant impact, scoring 80 goals in 166 appearances, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top forwards.

However, as his contract neared its end, Sanchez pushed for a transfer, leading to a high-profile swap deal with Manchester United. He moved to Old Trafford in exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with the deal valued at £35 million. Unfortunately, neither player managed to make a lasting impact at their new clubs.

Sumptuous Sanchez at his best pic.twitter.com/PqrBruHNoJ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 8, 2023

2. Cesc Fabregas: The Heartbreaking £35 Million Transfer to Barcelona

One of the most painful exits for Arsenal fans was Cesc Fabregas’s transfer to Barcelona in 2011, as the allure of returning to his childhood club proved too strong.

Fabregas had left Barcelona as a teenager in search of first-team opportunities and quickly became a key player for Arsenal, breaking records as the club’s youngest-ever first-team player at just 16 years and 177 days old, and later becoming their youngest goalscorer.

His remarkable growth saw him earn two Player of the Season awards and the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2007-08, culminating in his appointment as captain. However, after making 303 appearances and scoring 57 goals with 94 assists, Arsenal could not resist the temptation of losing their star player to Catalonia.

A real pass master

@cesc4official pic.twitter.com/ynAIZ8FPRI

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 11, 2019

Ultimately, the club’s inability to retain him marked a significant moment in its history, highlighting the challenge of keeping top talent amid the lure of football powerhouses.

1. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: A £35 Million Transfer to Liverpool

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stands as Arsenal’s joint-highest sale, having joined Liverpool in a £35 million deal in 2017.

During his seven seasons with Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain made 198 appearances across all competitions, but his departure was motivated by a desire for new challenges and the pursuit of silverware.

At Liverpool, he achieved a clean sweep of major honors, but his tenure was marred by injury struggles, resulting in him playing only 103 league games in six seasons. He eventually made a free transfer to Besiktas in 2023, marking a significant chapter in his career.

Read – Osimhen to climax? Serie A’s most costly sales

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The post Arsenal’s greatest ever move sales as Smith Rowe nears exit initially appeared on The Football Faithful.


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