Arteta needs a strikerArteta needs a striker
Arteta needs a striker | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal may have a Saudi Arabia-shaped problem as they look to sign a new forward this summer.
Arsenal have been dealt a potential problem in their reported bid to sign RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko this summer. The Gunners are in need of a new striker this summer, and they appear to have a priority target, with Mikel Arteta appearing to have decided he wants Sesko.
There are other options, including Viktor Gyokeres, but Sesko is seen as a better fit for Arsenal and they are already said to be engaged in talks over a possible deal. Leipzig will demand a big fee for their superstar frontman, but Arsenal were always likely to splash big on a frontman this summer, so it is not likely to put them off.
There is, however, a fresh concern in the form of reported interest from Saudi Arabia, where the clubs offer obscene wages to beat European clubs to transfers. Though, in the last year, we have seen players begin to reject moves to the Gulf state in favour of staying in Europe, with life in Saudi Arabia proving a difficult adaption for some, while the move also takes players out of the European spotlight.
Still, the Saudi ProLeague clubs are still trying to lure big-name players, and Sesko is said to be the latest to attract interest. Fabrizio Romano has posted on X: “Saudi Pro League clubs have approached Benjamin Šeško in recent hours with important proposals. Understand Šeško’s priority is to continue in Europe at this stage, with talks to follow in the next days.”
The good news is in the back-end of that statement, with Arsenal holding the upper-hand due to Sesko’s ambition to remain in Europe. The 22-year-old frontman doesn’t have a set release clause, but reports have claimed Leipzig have agreed with the player to sell him for £67.4million this summer, which is seen to be a reasonable figure by both parties.
Arteta knows the pressure is on
Speaking about Arsenal’s process after the season, Arteta said: "[We will] finish the season, go to the beach, enjoy a few days - and make sure the ones upstairs do what they have to do."
Speaking to the fans about next season’s hopes amid rising pressure to win the league, the Arsenal boss added: “We had a dream. It was to be here today or in a week's time and bring the big trophies to you guys.
"Unfortunately we haven't been able to do it, for many circumstances, but make sure that chasing a dream doesn't get blurry and you don't see what these players, these staff and this football club are doing, and make sure that we chase the dream with positivity and enthusiasm towards next season. We have to start creating our own history here in this stadium. There is much more to come and we have to do it altogether. It's not going to be easy but this group of players, I'm telling you, they have the hunger, they have the quality, they have the talent. And we're going to make it happen."
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