Arsenal have let £150million+ worth of players leave for free amid Reiss Nelson departure claims

Arsenal have let a group of players worth over £150million leave for free in the last five years.

This week Reiss Nelson, whose current Arsenal deal runs out in June, turned down the club's latest contract proposal, casting further doubt on his future at the north London side.

On the matter, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Reiss Nelson has rejected the first new contract proposal made by Arsenal — but negotiations remain ongoing as the final decision will be made at the end of the season.

“Nelson has been approached by many clubs in England and also from abroad over a potential free transfer.”

Though Nelson was one of the brightest stars in Arsenal’s academy, he has struggled with injury in recent years, while this term he has been overlooked due to the form of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

While talks are expected to continue between both parties, it is possible the 23-year-old could leave for free at the end of the campaign, with Brighton and AC Milan both thought to be interested.

Arsenal’s £150million+ loss

Nelson is set to depart alongside fellow academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the Southampton loanee also out of contract at the end of the season.

The pair are just the latest of a long line of players the Gunners have allowed to leave for free this term.

In recent years the north Londoners have allowed several players to leave for nothing, including Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Indeed, the combined transfer fee Arsenal paid for the aforementioned players is £158.7million.

Arsenal are likely to generate some money from transfers this summer however, with the club reportedly open to selling Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun and Charlie Patino.