Benjamin Sesko continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal but it's unlikely any deal will be announced before the first summer transfer deadline.
The first window, opened to allow those competing in this summer's Club World Cup to do business, will close at 7pm on Tuesday. The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have used it to their advantage to get players in early, but the Gunners have yet to confirm any new signings.
football.london understands a move for Sesko has progressed over the past week, although it's believed any deal will likely be completed in the second summer transfer window, which will open on June 16 and close on September 1.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta want to sign a new No.9 this summer, it's understood, with both Sesko and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres among the options considered. football.london reported last week that Gunners chiefs are unanimous on Sesko and believe the RB Leipzig man is the ideal player for Arteta's side.
The Slovenian is only 22 years old whereas Gyokeres is 27, so has much more room to improve. Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 appearances for Leipzig this season and also bagged six assists.
Arsenal explored a deal for Sesko last summer but the player instead decided the commit his future to Leipzig and signed a new contract at the Red Bull Arena. It's believed the Bundesliga side now want a higher fee to let Sesko leave, who has an agreement with his club that an exit will be sanctioned if the asking price is met. The figures would make Sesko the most expensive striker in Arsenal's history, eclipsing that of the £60million the club paid Borussia Dortmund for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang more than seven years ago.
It's believed Leipzig are holding out for around £70million, with talks having been held between the two clubs. No agreement has been made on the fee as of yet, though, but personal terms are not believed to be a problem, with Sesko keen on the move.
Arteta will likely want to wrap up a deal for Sesko sooner rather than later so the striker can join up with the Gunners for pre-season. The Arsenal squad will return to pre-season training at the start of July before flying to Asia for the club's pre-season tour, with games against AC Milan, Tottenham and Newcastle scheduled.