Arsenal are in contact with Mikel Arteta’s “dream” striker as they move on to life after the grim news that Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season.
The German will not play again in 2024-25 after tearing a hamstring during the Gunners’ winter training camp in Dubai. That compounds the club’s injury issues up front with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also currently out.
Now all attention is very much on what happens this summer given that the club trail Liverpool by seven points at the top of the Premier League table.
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Sesko to Arsenal latest
“Arsenal are working on signing one top striker during the summer transfer window and they’ll probably add a winger to the attacking department,” Romano said in a video update on his YouTube channel.
“In terms of strikers, Arteta’s two obsessions remain. One is Alexander Isak, but we have to respect Newcastle, who have no intention of selling him, and Sesko. In this case, it’s completely different. The doors can be open but Chelsea are keeping a close eye on him.
“Arsenal have already made fresh contacts, confirming their interest in Sesko. They’re keeping the contact active. These two are the dream targets. Arteta wanted a winger last season but it wasn’t possible. But they’ll try again this summer.”
Why Arsenal didn’t sign a striker in January
Romano went on to explain why Arsenal did not complete a move during the January transfer window.
“Arsenal wanted to bring in a new striker. Mikel Arteta said they were trying,” he said.
“They didn’t want to overpay for players who were not part of their plans for the summer. At some point in January, Arsenal understood they had to do something. They called RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko but were told no chance for January. There was no official bid made.
READ MORE: The inside story of Arsenal’s January transfer window, revealed
“There was a chance to sign Ollie Watkins. They had a bid rejected. But there was bad luck as the same week Aston Villa sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. They made big money on that deal – €85 million. Unai Emery was very clear publicly and to the board: Ollie Watkins had to stay.
“They had the chance to sign Alvaro Morata as an opportunity. They said no. Randal Kolo-Muani, who is doing fantastic for Juventus, was offered to them. Why didn’t Arsenal attack the deal? They had the feeling they couldn’t offer him the starting spot. Similar to Mathys Tel, they couldn’t go to the player and tell the player he could play 90% of the games. Juventus have offered him that chance. So they decided not to sign anyone and now the situation is complicated.”