Arsenal were linked with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
Arsenal have reportedly begun preliminary talks over a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Any noises around the Gunners signing a striker spells good news for Newcastle United as they aim to keep star man Alexander Isak. Speculation has surrounded the Toon ace all season, with many regarding him among the world’s best.
A career-best 27 goals across all competitions helped Newcastle win domestic silverware for the first time in 70 years and secure Champions League qualification. However, with three years left to run on a contract penned in August 2022, St James’ Park chiefs are in a strong negotiating position.
Alexander Isak dismissed Newcastle United exit talk
Isak has always maintained his happiness on Tyneside despite national and overseas outlets desperate to crank up the interest. He told Swedish media after the Carabao Cup final: "There's not much to say, really. I've commented on my situation and my security in Newcastle several times.
"It's been written how much love the city and the club, how well I feel there. I'm not thinking about the future. I just want to perform for Newcastle. Now we won the cup, but we want to finish strong and reach the Champions League games. That's where my focus lies.”
Arsenal want Alexander Isak alternative
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting Arsenal as having concrete interest in Slovenian striker Sesko. The 22-year-old has netted 39 goals across all competitions in his previous two seasons.
At 6ft 5in, Sesko is a physical beast and has been backed to become a force at Premier League level. The Leipzig striker is understood to be planning a summer exit after missing out on European football.
“Understand Arsenal have started moving initial concrete talks for Benjamin Sesko deal,” Romano posted on X. “He’s always been high on the recruitment team, management and Mikel Arteta’s list with attempts to get a deal done rejected by Leipzig in May 2024 and January. Now Sesko will leave. Arsenal on it.”
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Arsenal told Benjamin Sesko’s talents
His agent, Elvis Basanovic, appeared to put his client in the shop window to Slovenian media earlier this season. He said: "I think you should ask Mr Arteta about that. But I think Sesko could suit many clubs because he has different football skills.
"He can play alone in attack, with two strikers, a little further back, he has height, speed, technical speed. Benjamin Sesko is really shining, I think this is a phase of development.
"I think we have already shown in the past that we are sticking to the development path, that we are not looking at current form. Our decision regarding the next step, the transfer, has never and will not stem from current form, but from who can offer Sesko the best platform for his development.
"We can see that our decision was correct, six months later he is already a better striker than he was last season. What he lacks is experience. We must not forget that he is only 21 years old, so we did not want him to go to the Premier League in the summer. There were concrete options, but we consciously decided to stay in the Bundesliga to give him time to progress and develop into a better striker."
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