Arsenal are expected to be very busy in the upcoming transfer window with Mikel Arteta prioritising a new striker - and the Gunners are already said to be closing in on their top target
12:43, 17 May 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta could lose out on second place in the Premier League(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Only two league matches remain this season before Arsenal can enter the transfer market and begin their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.
Mikel Arteta is poised to finally secure the striker he should have signed over 12 months ago, and injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have left the Gunners lacking in attacking options in the latter half of the season. A deal for Martin Zubimendi is also believed to be nearing completion as Arsenal look for reinforcements in other areas.
Other positions of interest include a left winger and a new goalkeeper, with Espanyol's Joan Garcia topping Arsenal's summer wishlist as they seek to provide fresh competition for David Raya.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Arsenal transfer news.
Isak frustration
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Frustration has emerged in Alexander Isak's future(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe confesses that it has been taxing to see Alexander Isak linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months as the two sides gear up to battle for second place in the Premier League.
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The Gunners are just two points ahead of Newcastle before their second league encounter of the season this weekend, and the Magpies know they can overtake their rivals into second place with a victory ahead of next week's Premier League finale.
And Howe admits that speculation linking Isak to The Emirates has been "a frustration" given the successful campaign Newcastle have had.
Zubimendi approach
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - MAY 04: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad looks on during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club at Reale Arena on May 04, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Arsenal are looking to negotate for Martin Zubimendi(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
Arsenal are reportedly planning to negotiate a deal with Real Sociedad for Martin Zubimendi, rather than triggering the midfielder's £51million release clause.
The Athletic reported that Arsenal previously triggered Thomas Partey's clause back in 2020 when Andrea Berta - now the Gunners' sporting director - was in charge. Atletico Madrid were reportedly furious after only learning of Arsenal's interest when the funds to effectively release Partey from his contract were paid to La Liga.
However, this time around, Arsenal have kept Real Sociedad informed of their intentions to maintain positive relations and there is even hope that negotiating could lead to a more favourable payment schedule rather than spending a large sum all at once.
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Sesko hint
In other news, eagle-eyed Arsenal fans are convinced that a deal to bring Benjamin Sesko to north London is almost done - after the striker was left out of the marketing campaign for RB Leipzig's new kit.
The Bundesliga club unveiled their latest strip on Friday. But Sesko was not among those modelling the new kit, sparking a flurry of speculation on social media that the Slovenia star is set to be sold.