Andrea Berta is set to miss out on a seven-figure transfer bonus which could have been a big help in his first window at Arsenal. The Italian was recently appointed as the club's new sporting director, and he will need to hit the ground running ahead of what promises to be an important summer for the Gunners.
Even more frustratingly for Arsenal is the fact that north London rivals Tottenham are partly to blame. Spurs beat Southampton 3-1 on Sunday, with a brace from Brennan Johnson and a stoppage-time penalty from Mathys Tel guaranteeing the Saints' relegation from the Premier League.
A £1million cash windfall from Aaron Ramsdale's transfer to St Mary's has been taken off the table as a result. The England goalkeeper left the Emirates Stadium and headed to Southampton last summer for an £18m fee which would have been bumped up to £19m if a survival bonus was triggered.
Ramsdale's defeat at old foes Tottenham made 100% sure that Arsenal will never see that cash, as Southampton come to the end of a miserable season.
Having been the Gunners' No. 1 as recently as 2023, Ramsdale has let in 74 Premier League goals during a sobering campaign, while Arsenal are in line to finish second with David Raya between the sticks.
One of Berta's summer tasks will be to properly replace Ramsdale and find Raya's long-term deputy. Arsenal plugged the gap by signing veteran goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan, but he has hardly played, and will surely return to Bournemouth at the end of the season.
Senior figures at the Emirates have reportedly been scouting Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia. The extra £1m could have been useful to Berta in pursuit of the Spaniard, whose £21m release clause would make him an expensive back-up.
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Arsenal's other transfer priorities will also require Berta to spend some serious cash. Manager Mikel Arteta is set to be given a new striker, with Kai Havertz's injury emphasising the need for greater depth.
Central midfielder Mikel Merino has been forced to deputise up front during the German's absence. The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Alexander Isak are all believed to be of interest to the Gunners.
Reinforcements may also be required in central midfield, where Jorginho and Thomas Partey are approaching the end of their contracts. Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is widely expected to be snapped up for a handsome transfer fee after extensive talks were held in January.