Arteta could be handed more transfer funds with Arsenal on course to earn unexpected summer windfall

Arsenal are expected to have a busy January transfer window, having been linked with several high-profile moves - and they may be in for a summer boost as well.

The Gunners spent over £100 million last summer, with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both joining from Manchester City.

They also completed moves for Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner, with all five players part of the Gunners squad this season.

Meanwhile, Arteta decided to move on some of his fringe players, with Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Hector Bellerin amongst the Arsenal players to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Another player to leave the Gunners - in his case, on a temporary basis - was Pablo Mari, with the Spaniard joining Serie A newcomers Monza on loan for the season.

The centre-back was hospitalised in October after being the victim of a stabbing in an Italian supermarket, and was able to return to action at the end of December.

Mari has featured in both of Monza's Serie A fixtures since the league's resumption after the World Cup, and played 90 minutes as his side drew 2-2 with Inter Milan on Saturday.

And the Silvio Berlusconi-owned club have won five of their last 11 games in Serie A, pulling themselves away from the relegation zone.

In Arsenal's case, that could work out to be very much in Arteta's favour.

Arsenal set for Mari windfall

When Arsenal agreed for their player to Monza in the summer, they inserted a mandatory option to buy clause in Mari's loan contract. It is believed that the fee is €7 million.

However, this will only kick in if the Italian side avoids relegation this season. They are currently well on track to do so, having picked up 18 points from their 17 games. Meanwhile, Sampdoria, who occupy the highest spot in the bottom three, have only accumulated nine points.

In addition, Monza's next game is against 19th-placed Cremonese on Saturday, a team that have failed to win a single league game in Serie A this season.

If Raffaele Palladino's side do stay up this season, therefore, they would be providing a small but potentially important boost to Arsenal's finances for the summer transfer window.