Arsenal have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window so far with no incoming signings in June’s mini market. The Gunners are working on a several of deals, which are reportedly close to completion, as fans hold their breath over new faces.
2025/26 could be a defining season for Mikel Arteta after finishing second in three consecutive Premier League campaigns. The last trophy he won was five years ago, and after so much investment, the team management need some tangible success in the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal’s primary target continues to be a prolific striker who can lead the attack, an area where they struggled last season compared to their competition.
Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have shown interest in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. The latter has been on the radar since last season, as Arsenal almost snapped the Slovenian, before he decided to stay at Leipzig and signed a new contract.
However, the North Londoners have returned in their pursuit for the young striker, and he now appears more inclined to leave, after Leipzig failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after finishing eighth in the 2024/25 Bundesliga.
In recent reports via Sport BILD, Arsenal have reached an agreement with the player, but they are yet to agree a transfer fee with Leipzig, who are willing to sell for a bid in the region of €80m-€100m [$92m-$115m].
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Reportedly, the Gunners have signalled they will make an offer in that range, but the details are still undecided.
Will Arsenal secure Sesko transfer?
Sesko has developed into one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers with Chelsea and Manchester United also monitoring him. However, Arsenal remain in the lead, and Arteta is willing to push the deal over the finish line.
However, Arsenal fans are well aware they were in a similar spot last summer – as the club had almost secured his services – until he decided to stay in the Bundesliga. So the celebrations will be paused until at least the end of June.
Sesko rose through the ranks at RB Salzburg and joined sister club Leipzig in August 2022 for £20.5m [$23.5m]. His move to Germany was a decisive decision in his career as it helped him to step up to a new level in a stronger league.
He scored 21 goals last season in 45 appearances across all competitions. In 33 Bundesliga games, Sesko found the net 13 times. At 22, Sesko is still a work in progress, but his physicality, movement in the final third and decisiveness in front of goal make him a player to watch out for.
Arsenal are still monitoring Gyokeres, who rocked Europe by scoring 54 times in 52 matches for Sporting in their double winning season. However, the current situation favours Arteta landing Sesko with Gyokeres viewed as too expensive.
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