More exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal enter talks to sign £84m "monster"

After three years of finishing in second place in the Premier League, Arsenal need to make changes over the summer if they are to mount a charge for title glory.

Mikel Arteta has taken the side to the next level since his appointment back in 2020, but their progress has somewhat stagnated given their consistent league standing.

Next season will mark 22 seasons since the Gunners last finished top of England’s top-flight, a period that’s simply unacceptable for a club of their stature.

The upcoming window presents an opportunity for the Spaniard to make any changes he needs to his current first-team squad, with investment desperately needed from the hierarchy this summer.

With the window now just around the corner, Arteta has already wasted no time in identifying reinforcements for his side – with one department in particular subject to the biggest interest.

The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker

Viktor Gyokeres has been a leading target for Arsenal over the last couple of weeks, as the club try to land the talisman they’ve desperately missed in recent years.

The Swede, who’s valued at around £60m, has a staggering record this season, scoring 54 times in his 52 outings, with Arteta’s side the ones showing the greatest desire to land the 26-year-old.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix, with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko touted with a move to the Emirates, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

He claims that the hierarchy have entered concrete talks with the Bundesliga side over a summer move for the 21-year-old, who’s registered 21 goals across all competitions.

Romano has also stated that Arteta is pushing for the move to sign the Slovenian, who currently has a €100m (£84m) release clause within his current contract.

Why Sesko would be more exciting than Zubimendi

Ahead of the opening of the summer window, Arsenal have made excellent progress on numerous deals, with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi likely to be the first to walk through the door.

The Spanish international has already agreed a move to London, with journalist Romano also confirming that Arteta’s side have agreed a fee with the LaLiga outfit.

The 26-year-old currently has a €60m (£50m) release clause in his contract, potentially seen as a replacement for the outgoing Jorginho, who’s leaving the club on a free transfer next month.

Undoubtedly, given his tally of 68% dribbles completed and 58% duels won, he could prove to be the deep-lying option the midfield has needed over recent months.

Such a signing would undoubtedly be exciting, but a deal for Sesko would inject added excitement into the fanbase, with a striker needing to be the number one priority.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus missed large spells of 2024/25, leaving the Gunners without a recognised striker, with Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard often filling the void.

In the Bundesliga this campaign, the Slovenian has demonstrated his quality, scoring 13 goals in his 33 outings – including a goal of the season contender against Werder Bremen.

His underlying stats have been just as impressive, registering 1.2 shots on target per 90, along with 0.5 goals scored per game – highlighting the threat he carries in attacking areas.

Sesko, who’s been labelled a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has also completed 55% of the dribbles he’s attempted, along with 57% aerials won – handing Arteta the needed all-round option in North London.

Whilst he would cost the hierarchy a pretty penny this summer, he’s demonstrated that he’s capable of leading the line in the Premier League and potentially playing a key role in any future success.

The prospect of him linking up with Zubimendi at the Emirates is certainly an exciting one, with the striker hopefully able to provide the needed difference to catapult them to the top of the tree in 2025/26.

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