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Arsenal face battle from Saudi Arabia for Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal face competition from Saudi Arabian clubs in the race to sign Benjamin Sesko, the RB Leipzig striker, this summer.

Telegraph Sport understands that two Saudi Pro League sides have recently expressed an interest in signing Sesko, who is one of the most in-demand forwards in European football.

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Sesko and have been in talks with Leipzig to understand the size and terms of the deal that would be required to sign him before next season.

Sources in Germany have believed for several weeks that Sesko is Arsenal’s top priority for the centre-forward position, but it remains to be seen whether the Premier League club prioritise the 22-year-old over other options and make a formal offer.

Andrea Berta, the Arsenal sporting director, has been working hard to understand the required costs, in terms of transfer fee and wages, for a number of different attacking options across Europe. Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is among those players.

Andrea Berta is the man tasked with refreshing Arsenal's squad this season

Andrea Berta is the man tasked with refreshing Arsenal’s squad this season - Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane

Another move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who was targeted by Arsenal in the January transfer window, is regarded by sources as highly unlikely but cannot be totally ruled out.

Telegraph Sport understands that Leipzig are willing to sell Sesko, who scored 21 goals in 45 appearances last season, in a deal worth around €80 million (£68 million).

The prospect of strong interest from the two Saudi Pro League clubs, one of which is believed to be Al-Hilal, could yet drive up the price. However, the Slovenian’s current preference is to remain in Europe.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are working to finalise the transfer of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in a deal worth £5 million.

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Bournemouth reacts after making an error during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Manchester, England

Arsenal want Kepa Arrizabalaga as back-up for David Raya - Getty Images/Molly Darlington

Kepa, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, has been targeted as a backup option to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. The 30-year-old has a £5 million release clause.

Arsenal also remain extremely confident of signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi as expected this summer, despite reports in Spain that Real Madrid want to hijack the move. Zubimendi will cost around £50 million.

Analysis: Striker search just one issue in Berta’s big summer

Berta, who was appointed sporting director in March, has had a busy start to life in north London. The former Atlético Madrid executive’s main task has been to find a new striker for Mikel Arteta, and he has held talks with numerous clubs over the past few weeks.

By now, Berta will be aware of the costs required to sign each of these potential targets. The next step will be to pull the trigger and make a decisive move for one of them.

Will it be Sesko, a player Arsenal have wanted for more than a year? Or could it be Gyokeres, who is understood to be the preferred candidate of Berta himself? It could still be someone else, given the amount of conversations Berta has had with other clubs and players.

There are many other issues for Berta to address beyond the search for a striker, including the goalkeeper situation and contract renewals for key players such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United, at Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, 18 May 2025

Locking Bukayo Saka into a new contract will be a key task for Berta - Shutterstock/Tolga Akmen

Arsenal want their star players to feel valued and there was good news in this regard last week, when they confirmed a new four-year deal for defender Gabriel Magalhaes. They are also still in talks over a new contract for Thomas Partey, who could leave as a free agent this summer.

In the goalkeeping department, Arsenal are in need of a backup to David Raya following the end of Neto’s loan spell from Bournemouth. The expectation is that Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan from Chelsea at Bournemouth, will soon arrive at the Emirates Stadium in a £5 million deal.

Elsewhere, Berta has also been considering potential options for the wide attacking position. Nico Williams, of Athletic Bilbao and Spain, is known to have admirers within the Emirates Stadium but, as reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this year, a move for the 22-year-old is financially complicated.

Arsenal hope to generate funds through sales this summer, with Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract. There is also uncertainty over the future of forwards Leandro Trossard could yet be handed a new deal but there is still uncertainty over his future and Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan at Fulham.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira were both loaned out last summer and could leave the club on a permanent basis during this window. Left-back Nuno Tavares has already been sold to Lazio, for around £6 million, while Brazilian winger Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro in a permanent deal for around £3 million.

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