The transfer window might be closed again for a few days, but it feels like Arsenal are starting to fall behind their rivals.
For example, Manchester City have already secured the services of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri and look set for more.
However, perhaps the most worrying development, at least in terms of the Gunners' chances in the Premier League next season, has been Liverpool's £116m capture of Florian Wirtz.
The German is about as perfect an example of a statement signing as you'll ever see, but in some more positive news, reports have recently linked Arsenal to someone who could be their own version of the international superstar.
Arsenal transfer news
While Arsenal are yet to make any official signings this summer, they have been linked with a host of potentially game-changing stars, such as Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo.
The former has a release clause reportedly worth around £68m in Crystal Palace contract, and while that is a sizeable sum of money, it would be a price more than worth paying for a Premier League-proven attacker who scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 games this season.
Likewise, while Rodrygo could cost a whopping £84m this summer, his tally of 24 goal involvements this season and record of winning the biggest trophies in the game means he'd be a superb addition to the Gunners' squad.
Real-Madrid-Rodrygo
However, regarding the North Londoners' answer to Wirtz, it looks like it will be Benjamin Sesko.
According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the RB Leipzig star.
In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the Gunners have now made a 'breakthrough' in negotiations and are expected to make an offer of €100m early next week, which comes out to around £85m.
It would represent an enormous vote of confidence in the young striker, but given his ability and potential, this is a transfer Arsenal should get done as soon as possible, as Sesko could be their own Wirtz.
Why Sesko would be Arsenal's Wirtz
Okay, so the first thing to say is that the two players are obviously not comparable in terms of position, as while Wirtz can play in a few other places, he is primarily an attacking midfielder, not a striker.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko celebrates
However, their positions have little to do with why Sesko could be Arsenal's version of the German.
The first actual reason is that, like Liverpool's new creator, the Slovenian international has the potential to be a truly game-changing addition to the Gunners.
Sesko in 24/25
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, even though he's still just 22 years old, the former Salzburg gem was able to score 21 goals and provide six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3258 minutes.
That means the Radeče-born "monster," as dubbed by respected data analyst Ben Mattinson, averaged a goal involvement every 1.66 games, or every 120.66 minutes for a pretty poor Leipzig side.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko before taking a penalty
So, just imagine what he could do under Arteta with Bukayo Saka to the right of him, hopefully, a new left-winger on the other side and a rejuvenated Martin Odegaard behind him.
Moreover, despite standing a mammoth 6 foot 5, the 41-capped behemoth is still incredibly rapid and capable of hitting speeds of 35.69 km/h and then, to top it off, you only need to watch his clips to see how technical he is with the ball at his feet.
Finally, aside from the ways in which Sesko could take Arteta's side to the next level, he'd also be arriving for huge money and from the Bundesliga, just like Wirtz.
Ultimately, even though the money involved is more than most expected, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign the Leipzig gem this summer.
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