Arsenal are yet to sign a new striker this summer, but plenty of foundations are being laid.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are working hard to add to the attacking department – Arsenal have already agreed terms with Viktor Gyokeres after his stunning season for Sporting CP, scoring 54 goals in 52 appearances.
Arsenal have also held talks over Benjamin Sesko – the RB Leipzig striker – although whichever of the two forwards Berta does sign, they look set to cost north of £60m.
For half the price, Chelsea are close to signing a talented striker themselves in Liam Delap – a move Adebayo Akinfenwa cannot believe Arsenal showed no interest in completing.
Arsenal slammed for ignoring Liam Delap
The England U21 international saw a £30m release clause become active once Ipswich Town were officially relegated from the Premier League.
Liam Delap was 🤏this🤏 close to one of the all-time great solo goals! pic.twitter.com/sb1zux9uvQ
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 17, 2024
Arsenal declined to trigger the clause, with Chelsea now close to signing Delap, a decision which has baffled Akinfenwa, who told talkSPORT on The Sports Bar: “I don’t understand how Arsenal didn’t snap him up… £30m is chump change in today’s market, so when you’ve got somebody who… they’re talking about being a Harry Kane replacement for England, about a proper No.9, I don’t understand how Arsenal didn’t buy.
“As soon as Ipswich got relegated, they should have been in there. I think it’s a no-brainer. I think he’s going to do well. I really do.
“He’s got that old-school element where you know you’re in for a game when you’re up against Delap. So I think he’s going to do well. I think he’s got that Diego Costa sort of vibe about him.”
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances last season, along with two assists, which is quite an impressive return given how badly Ipswich Town struggled.
Mikel Arteta could have taken Liam Delap and another striker, which seems to be the plan at Chelsea
It appears Chelsea have simply opted to act on a market opportunity, with plans to add another striker in addition to Delap.
O homem da 🫱 máscara 🫲 e os seus 𝟯𝟵 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀 🎯 estão agora a passar em 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘱 no teu ecrã!
Se queres que o Gyökeres fique no Sporting CP identifica-o 😇#LigaPortugal #LigaPortugalBetclic #SCP pic.twitter.com/Y9gAuQIyho
— Liga Portugal (@ligaportugal) May 29, 2025
Like Arsenal, Chelsea have also opened talks for Gyokeres, so Enzo Maresca could well have Nicolas Jackson, Delap and the Sweden international at Stamford Bridge next season.
Seeing as Arsenal want to sell Gabriel Jesus, and only have Kai Havertz as a recognised striker – even the German is not exactly a traditional No.9 – the Gunners would have been wise to trigger the £30m release clause and keep pursuing Sesko or Gyokeres, adding quality depth to the frontline rather than just one option.