Arsenal have not signed a player directly from the German Bundesliga since the summer transfer window of 2018 amid their recent links with Benjamin Sekso and ex-Manchester City forward Leroy Sane.
Bernd Leno and Sokratis Papastathopoulos arrived before the 2018/2019 season started. They joined Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac to double the number of those in their squad who had arrived from Germany.
Despite the relative success of those deals, since the head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat, departed after barely a year in that role, there has been an absence of any signings from the Bundesliga. Newly-arriving sporting director, Andrea Berta, could be about to change that, though.
Here, we take a look at the latest news, views and rumours involving Arsenal;
Sesko scouting mission
Arsenal reportedly had scouts watching Sesko play for RB Leipzig against Bayern Munich. TBR Football claims Chelsea and Liverpool also did, but the Gunners are said to have executed extensive background work on the striker ahead of a proposed swoop.
Talks between the player's team and those clubs reputedly remain active. Manchester United and Newcastle United are also said to be in regular contact with his representatives.
football.london says: Sesko scored his 21st goal of the season, opening the scoring in a match which finished 3-3 to delay Bayern from winning the title by a day. However, despite earning a point, Leipzig dropped to sixth in the Bundesliga table, which would only qualify them for the Conference League.
Sesko is rightly a man-in-demand, but there are other options.
Sane transfer preference
Sane reportedly would prefer moving to a club playing in London - if he doesn't sign a new contract with Bayern. Sky Germany argues there will be new talks with the player as they still hope the former City winger will stay put.
football.london says: Sane seemingly will remain at Bayern, but the player's preference for a London move rather than a return to Manchester or elsewhere in England is nonetheless notable. Chelsea, of course, could also satisfy that want, but alongside the factor of previously working with Mikel Arteta under Pep Guardiola at City, a move to the Gunners would seemingly be one Sane could favour.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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