Arsenal are making serious moves to strengthen their squad by stepping up negotiations with RB Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko.
The North London club is aiming to secure the Slovenian forward for around £70 million, although no official bid has been submitted yet.
Sesko’s Impressive Form and Desire to Join Arsenal
Sesko has had a standout season, netting 21 goals and providing six assists across all competitions, including four goals in the Champions League.
It’s clear the 20-year-old is eager to make the move to Arsenal, showing his enthusiasm for joining Mikel Arteta’s team.
Previous Offers Were Rejected but Arsenal Remain Interested
Arsenal’s pursuit of Sesko isn’t new. Last year in May, and again during the recent January transfer window, offers from the Gunners were turned down by Leipzig.
Back then, Arsenal were looking to boost their attacking options, also making moves for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but those bids were also declined.
Injury Woes Left Arsenal Struggling in Attack
Arsenal’s urgency to strengthen their frontline makes sense when you look at the injury crisis they faced last season.
Key forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were sidelined with serious injuries in January and February, leaving Arteta short in attack.
On top of that, Bukayo Saka was out for much of the season after a hamstring surgery just before Christmas, and Gabriel Martinelli missed games as well.
Creative Solutions in Attack Didn’t Fully Replace Key Players
With those injuries piling up, Arsenal had to get creative.
Mikel Merino, normally a central midfielder, was pushed forward as an emergency striker.
Merino actually did well, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in this unfamiliar role.
Still, the lack of genuine attacking depth eventually saw Arsenal slip behind in the title race.
Arsenal Also Eye Chelsea Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga
It’s not just forwards on Arsenal’s radar. They’re also interested in signing goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Kepa is currently weighing up his options as Arsenal look to add experienced competition behind first-choice keeper David Raya.
Goalkeeping Situation and Kepa’s Status
Last season, Kepa was on loan at Bournemouth and is not wanted at Chelsea anymore.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s loaned keeper Neto has returned to Bournemouth after his stint at the Emirates, leaving the club short of experienced backup for Raya.
Chelsea’s squad currently includes five goalkeepers—Kepa, Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, and Mike Penders—which is quite crowded.
Kepa, who joined Chelsea in 2018 and has won the Champions League and Europa League with the club, still has a year left on his contract.
He also has a release clause set at £5 million, which could make a transfer possible.