Arsenal look poised to let another high profile member of their squad leave on a free in the summer
Following the news that Arsenal have withdrawn the offer of a contract made to Aaron Ramsey, it’s now being reported that Danny Welbeck will be allowed to leave the club on a free.
Welbeck arrived at the club from Manchester United in 2014, and is expected to be unavailable for most of the season after breaking his ankle in the Europa League draw with Sporting Lisbon last month.
Though the club continue to support him as he recovers from the injury, The Times report that they will not offer him a new deal as they have in the past with injured players such as Santi Cazorla and Abou Diaby.
In their second successive season without Champions League football, Arsenal’s absence from the competition has seen their spending power restricted. With Mesut Özil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan signing big-money contracts last January, they also have little room to manoeuvre in terms of their wage bill – perhaps explaining their decision to allow Ramsey and Welbeck to leave.
Unai Emery, the report adds, is said to be open to letting the players move on to free up resources for new signings, as well as creating opportunities for Reiss Nelson, who has impressed this season during his loan spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Welbeck failed to agree a new deal with Arsenal last year, the club deciding against extending his stay when he entered into the final 12 months of his current deal. Though the club are said to be sympathetic towards his current injury situation, they have not changed their stance on his contract.
