The opening of the first part of the summer transfer window is just a matter of days away with Arsenal hoping to get some early deals done.
There has been a lot of talk over potential comings and goings at the Emirates Stadium over the past few weeks and months. The club appear to be closing in on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The player was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool last summer, but Zubimendi now looks to be heading to Arsenal. The Gunners will be looking to close the gap on Liverpool next season, with them hoping the transfer helps them.
He’s not the only player to be linked with a move to Arsenal with talk over several different potential targets. There’s also been rumours of potential outgoings before the start of next season.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at a couple of the stories doing the rounds, and also given our own thoughts.
Benjamin Sesko asking price
Red Bull Leipzig are said to be demanding a transfer fee of £92.5 million for Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal reportedly opening talks for the transfer.
Reports on Thursday evening claimed that Arsenal have started concrete talks with both Leipzig and the player over a potential summer move. But it seems that the Gunners will have to pay a significant fee for the striker.
According to the Telegraph, Leipzig have put a price of £92.5 million on Sesko’s head this summer - despite reports in Germany claiming Leipzig are willing to open talks at around £59m. It is added that negotiations with Leipzig are unlikely to be straight forward given the price that the club are demanding.
Arsenal have been long-term admirers of the 21-year-old, but saw approaches both last summer and in the January window knocked back by Leipzig.
FL says : RB Leipzig’s asking price for Sesko does seem steep, especially given that Arsenal could get Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting for around £30 million less this summer if they wish to do so.
However, the fact that Arsenal have entered concrete talks suggest that both teams could come to some sort of compromise on the sort of fee that will be paid for the player. If Arsenal could get the price down to around the £60/70 million mark, then it seems like a good deal for all, especially given Sesko’s age compared to Gyokeres.
Gabriel contract breakthrough
Arsenal defender Gabriel is close to signing a new contract with the club, according to BBC Sport .
The Brazilian’s current contract at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire in 2027, meaning he would have just two years remaining going into the summer transfer window. However, Arsenal are reportedly about to put an end to any speculation over his future.
Talks have reportedly reached an advanced stage with negotiations accelerating to the point where a deal is now close. It comes after report back in March linked Gabriel with a move to Saudi Arabia.
FL says : Getting a new contract for Gabriel sorted early in the summer will be a huge boost to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. It will stop any niggling doubts over his future and allow both the defender and the club to look to the future.
Gabriel has former a formidable centre-back partnership with William Saliba in the centre of defence and it’s something that Arsenal will hope is at the Emirates for years to come.