Arsenal closed out their season with Mikel Merino once again leading the line in a 2-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League.
Merino has been excellent at times as a striker for Arsenal, but fans will probably still be hoping that they never witness the Spaniard as a number nine again.
Arsenal have plans to buy a striker this summer and Mikel Arteta will surely be planning to return Merino to midfield next season, which remains his preferred position.
Andrea Berta is doing work on several strikers right now and it seems as if both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are at the top of Arsenal’s list as things stand.
Alexander Isak is likely beyond Arsenal’s clutches this summer and Sesko and Gyokeres are seen as the best of the rest.
RB Leipzig need to sell Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko
That being said, Berta has held talks with Sesko over a potential switch from RB Leipzig this summer, and journalist Florian Plettenberg has just shared some very encouraging news in that regard.
Sharing his update on X, Plettenberg reaffirmed that Berta had been in contact with Leipzig to explore a deal.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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The journalist pointed out that Leipzig do need to sell Sesko to generate funds this summer, a significant development from an Arsenal perspective.
Sharing his update, Plettenberg wrote: “Arsenal, with Andrea Berta, are currently focused on two top strikers: Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres!
“Regarding Sesko, there has been recent direct contact between Berta and RB Leipzig chief Marcel Schäfer to understand the structure of a potential deal, including the release clause and other details. Both deals would be extremely expensive.
“RB have to sell Sesko in order to generate income. Mikel Arteta and the ownership are big, big fans of the player.”
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal, with Andrea Berta, are currently focused on two top strikers: Benjamin #Sesko and Viktor #Gyökeres!
Regarding Sesko, there has been recent direct contact between Berta and RB Leipzig chief Marcel Schäfer to understand the structure of a potential deal, including… pic.twitter.com/ydYOBkmWVw
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 25, 2025
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Arsenal should prioritise Sesko over Gyokeres
Sesko has a £67m release clause this summer, one that Leipzig will surely be able to stand firm on given the level of interest in the striker — even if they do need to sell.
But given that Sesko and Gyokeres will be available for a similar price, Sesko might now be emerging as the better option for Arsenal.
Gyokeres might not be the right fit for Arsenal even if Berta is a huge fan of the striker himself.
Sesko may not be the finished article immediately for the Gunners but he is a better stylistic fit and the Slovenian arguably has a higher ceiling.
Kai Havertz will continue to be an excellent number nine for Arsenal next season and if Sesko and Gyokeres are broadly available for a similar price, perhaps the former better complements Arteta’s squad right now.