The Premier League confirmed its fixture calendar for the 2025/2026 season this week with Arsenal set for an intriguing opening game against Man United, and there is little doubt sporting director Andrea Berta will be aiming to secure all of Mikel Arteta's top summer transfer targets by that date.
Regarding links to some of Europe's most sought-after strikers, United have been equally active in the transfer market, with both sides attempting to get a prolific centre-forward through the door after disappointing seasons.
aymeric-laporte-man-city-premier-league Related
Arsenal make contact to sign trophy-laden £400k-per-week ex-Man City star
He'd be quite the addition to Arteta's dressing room.
Arsenal have been in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Benjamin Sesko for weeks, but as things stand, the Gunners are unwilling to match their demands of a transfer fee which could reach up to £85 million.
With Arsenal still yet to shake hands on a contract with the player's representatives, plenty of work is still to be done if Berta wishes to strike a deal for the Slovenia international who's eluded Arteta's side since last summer.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
Sesko rejected a proposal to join Arsenal this time last year and ex-interim sporting director Jason Ayto led a mission to tempt the 22-year-old with a move to the Emirates in January, only to be told that he wanted to see out the season with Leipzig (Ben Jacobs).
Amidst the Sesko saga, Arsenal are also trying to sign a new winger, but key target Nico Williams is now in talks to join Barcelona instead.
Arsenal planning to hijack Chelsea deal for Jamie Gittens
That is according to CaughtOffside, and given the Athletic Bilbao starlet is most likely to remain in La Liga with Barça, Arsenal are believed to be shifting their focus to Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
jamie-gittens-borussia-dortmund-bundesliga
The "new name" target, as described by this report, is emerging as a priority signing for the north Londoners and Arteta is apparently a real admirer. They're currently taking "concrete steps" to swoop for Gittens and holding internal talks over a move for the Englishman, who Dortmund value at around £51 million.
Arsenal are said to be "serious" about signing Gittens and could move quickly, which comes as a real concern for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca.
The west Londoners had three bids rejected for the 20-year-old before the Club World Cup transfer deadline (Florian Plettenberg), with CaughtOffside reiterating that Gittens has already reached a long-term agreement on personal terms to join Chelsea.
Chelsea are widely expected to bid again for Gittens (Fabrizio Romano), but Arsenal appear to be posing a major threat in the race, so Maresca may now have a battle on his hands.
The Dortmund sensation, called an "incredible" one-v-one forward by Nuri Şahin, bagged 12 goals and five assists in 49 total appearances last campaign - with four of his strikes coming in the Champions League.