Arsenal are ready to capitalise on Sporting Lisbon’s mass exodus of players, according to reports.

Four more Sporting players have rescinded their contracts with the troubled Portuguese club after Goalkeeper Rui Patricio and forward Daniel Podence already quit the team two weeks ago.

Portugal internationals William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Bruno Fernandes and Netherlands striker Bas Dost all broke off their contracts with the Liga NOS side having filed notice with the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.

The mass exit has been sparked by a difficult year at the Portuguese club, in which players, fans and the club’s hierarchy have all clashed on numerous occasions.

Only last month did around 50 hardcore Sporting fans storm the club’s training ground, attacking players and staff. At least one player was injured and the club’s changing room was trashed.

And back in April, club president Bruno De Carvalho publicly named and shamed a number of the club’s players following their exit from the Europa League at the hands of eventual winners Atletico Madrid.

While bad news for Sporting however, the departure of a number of the club’s top players means good news for a number of European clubs – including Arsenal, who are said to be interested in signing both William Carvalho and Gelson Martins.

The Gunners have tried to land Carvalho on numerous occasions to be no avail in the past few years, however the Portugal international is now a free agent and could finally complete his long rumoured move to The Emirates.

It is reported that Arsenal boss Unai Emery had also sanctioned a £25 million bid for winger Gelson Martins prior to him becoming a free agent.

The 23-year-old forward is highly rated by the Spaniard, and is seen reportedly seen as a long-term replacement for Alexis Sanchez, who left the club in January.

Moves for both players would be in keeping with Arsenal’s summer transfer budget, with Unai Emery reportedly having a mere £50 million to rebuild his squad ahead of the new season.

Arsenal have already dipped into the transfer market, having secured the signing of Juventus fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer.

Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also expected to join the club in the coming weeks for around £16 million.