Michail Antonio feels that Arsenal would find it difficult to trade the 25-year-old player for a profit right now

Nowadays, excellent players may fetch prices as high as £70 million on a regular basis, making it difficult to determine a player’s true value.

 

In an attempt to acquire a player with potential resale value, several teams have started to purchase young players, although Michail Antonio claims that this tactic frequently fails.

 

In fact, Antonio mentioned in an interview with Footballer’s Football Podcast that it is difficult for any team in the top six to sell a player for a profit these days to teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona because those teams are already paying a premium for their talents. He gave the examples of Declan Rice and Rasmus Hojlund from this summer.

 

rice stockpile

Declan Rice would prove to be a costly acquisition for Arsenal.

Antonio used the top player for Arsenal as an example to deliver his assessment on the current transfer market.

 

“Consider what Real Madrid would be willing to spend for Haaland. They were lucky to get him for £60 million, and he will likely get £120 million. However, let’s consider a scenario in which Dec., who is 25 years old, want to attend Real Madrid and Arsenal has already paid £105. How much did United spend for Hojlund? £70 million? Now, the most they may receive is £80, 90, or 100 million. Antonio remarked, “I don’t understand the top six clubs doing this; they already pay premium prices, and anyone selling to them will want the most.”

 

Not the reason for signing Declan Rice

While we see Antonio’s point, Rice is perhaps not the best example to use.

 

Arsenal passed on signing Rice due to his high potential for resale value. He was brought on as the team’s last product, meant to help them win the league.

 

Although Rasmus Hojlund may have been purchased by Manchester United with the intention of selling him in a few years, it will be difficult to turn a profit for £72 million. As for Rice, Arsenal most likely anticipates that he will spend the majority of his career at the Emirates at this point.

 

Antonio makes valid points on the broader transfer market, but his examples aren’t the finest.