Arsenal is poised for a financial boost thanks to a shrewd deal made with Chelsea two years ago.
The North London club stands to gain a significant sell-on fee from the transfer of Omari Hutchinson, who is set to join Ipswich Town permanently for a reported £22 million.
Hutchinson Deal
Hutchinson, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, signed his first professional contract with the club in November 2020.
Despite being named on the bench for ten first-team matches, he never made a senior appearance before moving to Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for an undisclosed fee. Crucially, Arsenal included a sell-on clause in this transfer, entitling them to a percentage of any future sale.
This clause has now come into play as Chelsea prepares to offload Hutchinson to Ipswich Town. The winger spent last season on loan at Ipswich, where he impressed by scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 50 appearances, helping the club secure promotion to the Championship.
Arsenal’s financial year ends on 31 May, unlike most Premier League clubs that run to the end of June. This timing means Arsenal had no immediate need to finalize transfers before the end of June, but they can still benefit from their rivals’ transactions.
Chelsea’s need to balance their books by the end of June has expedited Hutchinson’s transfer, indirectly benefiting Arsenal through the sell-on clause.
The exact percentage Arsenal will receive from the £22 million fee remains undisclosed. However, the financial gain is a testament to the foresight of Arsenal’s transfer negotiations.
Hutchinson’s return to Ipswich will see him back at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day, followed by a match against Chelsea three days later.
Arsenal fans can anticipate this unexpected windfall as a result of prudent business practices, illustrating the importance of strategic clauses in transfer deals.
This move not only strengthens Ipswich but also showcases Arsenal’s ability to profit from their academy graduates long after their departure.
