We have all the latest Arsenal news for you today (Wednesday February 12) with updates on Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak, Dusan Vlahovic and William Saliba.
Benjamin Sesko says YES to Gunners
RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko is reportedly set to reject transfer interest from Chelsea and Manchester United in order to join Arsenal this summer.
The Slovenia international is expected to leave the Bundesliga this summer, with the Gunners front runners to sign him as they search for a new man to spearhead their attack in 2025-26.
Mikel Arteta had hoped to sign a striker during the January transfer window, but the Gunners were unable to bring anybody on board. Now all eyes switch to the summer with confirmation that a star forward is top priority.
READ MORE: Arsenal get thumbs down from The Athletic for ‘costly’ mistakes
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins have also been linked with a move to north London, but Arsenal are pushing hard to complete a move for Sesko. The good news is that he currently favours a move to north London, according to CaughtOffside.
Chelsea and Man Utd have reportedly submitted enquiries over a possible summer deal for the talented 21-year-old forward, but he prefers Arsenal’s project and the Gunners are now expected to lodge a “significant” offer.
We understand Sesko is Arsenal’s top target for this summer and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a deal could take place once the 2024-25 campaign concludes.
“For the striker position at Arsenal, it’s very clear; they will do something very big, very important and massive in the summer,” Romano admitted in a recent YouTube video.
“In January, Arsenal were trying to understand the conditions of a deal for Benjamin Sesko, but RB Leipzig immediately closed the doors on a deal – no chance to negotiate with a very clear message from Oliver Mintzlaff, who really wanted to keep Sesko.
“In the summer, the feeling is completely different. The understanding is there will be a chance for Sesko to try something new and so Arsenal will be there. He is one of the top strikers on their list and he is also appreciated by other clubs, including Chelsea.
“Arsenal have kept contacts active because they believe that Sesko could be a strong and top candidate for the striker position from next season.”
Vlahovic set for Juve exit with Gunners linked
The Italian media is now unanimous in agreeing that Dusan Vlahovic’s Juventus career is over. Now the only question is where the Serb superstar will head next, and the Gunners are being linked as a possible destination.
Vlahovic has not started a Serie A game for Juventus in 2025 and the final straw arrived on Friday. The Bianconeri won 2-1 at Como, with the 25-year-old an unused substitute.
While Vlahovic languishes on the bench, Randal Kolo Muani was signed on loan by Juve from PSG in January and has immediately become the club’s first-choice striker.
Muani has been a revelation, scoring five goals in his first three games, and Juve are already hoping to negotiate with PSG to prolong his stay in Turin either permanently or on a longer loan.
READ MORE: Gunners want Sesko AND Isak as Fabrizio Romano drops update
Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport and others all agree that Juventus will sell Vlahovic at the end of the season. The Serb’s contract in Turin expires in 2026 and Juve will do everything they can to sell him at the end of the season.
An ideal destination for Juve could be Arsenal, who need a striker this summer and can afford the player and his salary.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been a long-term fan of Vlahovic, having failed to sign him in January 2022 when he left Fiorentina for Juventus for €80m.
Vlahovic is on Arteta’s summer shortlist to fill their vacant striker position, together with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Matheus Cunha. Renewal talks over a new contract have ended between Juventus and Vlahovic.
Vlahovic is the highest-paid player in Serie A on €12 million per season and Juventus are not willing to continue paying him that much given both his underpar performances on the pitch and the club’s new policy of lowering the wage ceiling.
Paul Scholes delivers brutal take on Isak to Arsenal
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes that Alexander Isak is too good to join the Gunners this summer.
The Newcastle United forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates over the past 12 months and he is one of Mikel Arteta’s dream targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Arsenal are set to sign a new centre forward in 2025 and although Newcastle will be reluctant to sell, Isak could secure a move to north London if the Gunners cough up a transfer fee in excess of €120 million. A club record fee in excess of that paid to lure Declan Rice away from West Ham in the summer of 2023.
The Sweden international has 19 goals and five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions so far this season, while he humiliated William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes during Newcastle’s two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final win over Arsenal.
READ MORE: Arsenal tipped to rekindle interest in star Liverpool forward
In addition to the Newcastle star, Benjamin Sesko is also being lined up by the Gunners and they could be forced to sign the Slovenian if Isak listens to Scholes’ advice.
On the latest Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes was insistent that Isak should aim higher than a move to Arsenal.
“Everyone loves him [Isak] but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal,” the ex-Man Utd midfielder said.
“He needs to go bigger and better. We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I think Arsenal would be an option but I think they would be down the list of options.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way but he’s at Newcastle, a really good team, a brilliant team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the next stage of his career.
“I think it would be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the same thing. Liverpool have got a much better chance, Man City and Real Madrid the same.
“I think his sights should be higher than Arsenal. He is a player Man Utd would be looking at but in the position we’re in now… it’s not going to happen.”
Scholes concluded: “I agree he takes Arsenal to another level, he would be brilliant and he could possibly get you over the line. But I just think there’s bigger and better in him.”
Arsenal set to back Arteta with £200m spending spree
Arsenal are set to back Mikel Arteta in the transfer market with a £200 million spending spree during the upcoming summer window.
The Gunners boss was “disappointed” by their lack of business in January, but the club are set to rectify that by signing at least four new players this summer.
Arsenal have failed to win the Premier League title since 2004 and they are aiming to end their drought next campaign with several big-money additions as Arteta pushes to bring reinforcements to the Emirates Stadium.
In fact, Spanish outlet Fichajes have reported that Arsenal will look to sign a goalkeeper, a central midfielder, a winger and a striker during the next transfer window.
Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia is currently their preferred goalkeeper target and the Gunners will pursue a move for the 23-year-old in their bid to sign an adequate back-up to David Raya.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is expected to arrive in north London to provide additional midfield depth, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both currently set to become free agents in July.
As reported by FootballTransfers, Arsenal will push to bring Athletic Club’s Nico Williams to the club, as they look for a new winger, and they will also finally sign an out-and-out number nine.
We have been informed that Benjamin Sesko remains a key target for Arteta, while Fichajes state that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins will also be pursued.
All in all, this expected transfer blitz is expected to cost the Gunners more than £200m in total. A striker and Zubimendi alone will set Arsenal back in excess of £150m.
Saliba responds to Real Madrid rumours
Real Madrid have reportedly made a record-breaking move for William Saliba, and the Arsenal star defender has not ruled out a transfer.
During Arsenal’s recent trip to Dubai, a Gunners fan begged Saliba not to join Real Madrid this summer.
“Saliba, Champions League, please!,” the fan said. “Never go [Real] Madrid!”
The defender responded to the request with a smile and was jovial but he did not assure the fan that he would in fact stay and reject Madrid.
aliba has been increasingly linked to Madrid in recent days, with RMC Sport reporting that Madrid are planning a record-breaking move for Arsenal’s star defender.
Madrid are prepared to make Saliba the most expensive defender in football history, according to Fabrice Hawkins.
This would mean Madrid paying more than the €87 million that Man Utd paid for Harry Maguire from Leicester in 2019.
RMC Sport adds that Arsenal have made it clear they have no intention to sign Saliba and will fight tooth and nail in order to keep the France international.