Mikel Arteta is getting his wish of a new striker.Mikel Arteta is getting his wish of a new striker.
Mikel Arteta is getting his wish of a new striker. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Andrea Berta has enjoyed a busy start to the summer as incoming sporting director at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are in negotiations with RB Leipzig talisman Benjamin Sesko over a blockbuster move to the Emirates Stadium in what could be the second transfer confirmed by Andrea Berta this summer.
The Spaniard has long been linked with Arsenal and is expected to be the first transfer the club confirms when the window opens. The Gunners are believed to have agreed personal terms having activated the player’s £50 million release clause.
Martin Zubimendi expected to become first transfer of Andrea Berta era
Following Zubimendi, it looks as if Sesko could be the next player to come through the doors at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have made a new goalscorer the priority for the transfer window, having struggled without the injured Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus at times last term.
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres had become a frontrunner to take on that role but it now looks to be the RB Leipzig man. Taking to social media platform X on Friday, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote: “Negotiations between RB Leipzig and Arsenal regarding Benjamin #Sesko have begun! A few days ago, there was already a meeting between the executives Marcel Schäfer and Andrea Berta in London.
“It remains unclear whether #Arsenal are able to afford the full package. Discussions are currently ongoing about a possible payment structure. The release clause is set at over €80 million. Victor #Gyökeres is still high on the list. The current focus is on Sesko.”
It has been widely speculated that the transfer will cost Arsenal £93 million but, if words from Sesko’s former teammate Yussuf Poulsen are anything to go by, that could be a shrewd investment. Speaking to TNT Sports in December, Poulsen insisted that 21-year-old was ‘the best I’ve played with’.
Benjamin Sesko tipped for stardom as Arsenal transfer links emerge
That’s a big compliment with Poulsen having worked alongside Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku, Manchester United man Rasmus Hojlund and Tottenham Hotspur forward Timo Werner in the past. Poulsen said: "If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top No. 9 needs. He's still young, he still needs to learn, not the technical things about being a striker but maybe more the finesse side.
"He has everything, strength shooting, technique, everything. I like working with him and I'm trying to get him there - he'll go on and score a lot of goals for us and some point go to the club he'll love to play for."
Berta is now in charge of Arsenal transfer negotiations, having taken on that post from Edu. Berta was prolific in his dealings in Spain and has been backed by Arteta to make a real difference in the window.
The Arsenal manager said: “I think he’s going to be a big contributor with his experience, and the fact that he’s already won in very difficult contexts and the way he’s built teams, he is exceptional. I think we have to share that responsibility and Andrea is going to be a key part to driving the plans and the ideas we have and try to execute them and we are here to support him.”
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