Arsenal could edge closer to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko asking price courtesy of an unexpected transfer elsewhere. The Gunners are expected to sign a striker this summer with the Slovenia international as the one being actively pursued.
Discussions have taken place over the last weeks with those advancing in recent days but Leipzig are still demanding between £67.6million (€80m) and £84.4milliion (€100m). In the meantime, deals for Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all but wrapped up.
football.london understands that in addition to that, signing a defender and wide forward are also aims for Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta.
Nico Williams, Bryan Mbeumo and Jamie Gittens are three names to have been linked, but two of those appear unattainable for the Gunners. That is because Manchester United and Chelsea are advancing in deals to sign the latter duo from Brentford and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
That saw Williams left as the only concrete option but Bayern Munich have since intensified talks for the Spaniard. Real Madrid star Rodrygo, despite the sizeable finances involved, could also be considered.
Multiple Premier League clubs will likely declare an interest if that ends up being the case with that very situation now applying to Sesko. As revealed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Pro League clubs have approached Sesko.
His preference is to remain in Europe but the significant finances involved for both player and Leipzig could see that stance change. However, Arsenal could come much closer to matching that if a different switch to the Middle East is sealed.
Last week, the Gunners confirmed the sale of Nuno Tavares to Lazio following his season-long loan spell in Italy. Despite that, the Portugal international could be set for an immediate departure with Al-Hilal targeting his signature and already seeing a £25.4million (€30m) bid rejected.
Considering they have only just brought him on board permanently, selling Tavares seems highly unlikely but the chance to make serious and immediate profit is clear with Lazio setting £42.2million (€50m) as his asking price.
The Gunners will be hoping their former player does join Al-Hilal as a 35 per cent sell-on clause was inserted into that move to Lazio. If the Italian sides' price tag is met, Arsenal will secure a sizeable windfall at just under £15million.
Those funds, if they do come through, should go straight into the budget that has been allocated to complete a striker signing. Viktor Gyokeres is the alternative to Sesko and though Sporting CP are expected to sell, it may not be at the mooted £60million.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen has since also been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium after rejecting an approach from Al-Hilal which likely led to their approach for Sesko.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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