Arsenal striker update: Mikel Arteta boost as club 'in talks' with number nine target in bid to challenge Liverpool

Arsenal are said to have entered concrete talks with RB Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko, who has a release clause in the region of £67m.

The Gunners will play the final game of their Premier League season on Sunday against Southampton away from home, and they look destined to finish second for a third consecutive campaign.

Boss Mikel Arteta will aim to correct the mistakes of this term in the transfer market, and he is likely to add attacking reinforcements as a matter of priority.

Striker Kai Havertz has often been criticised for his performances up front, but one of the bigger issues has been the fact that many of the team's forward options have suffered serious injuries.

In their quest to strengthen to challenge league champions Liverpool, Sky Sports Germany transfer expert Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Arsenal are in talks with RB Leipzig over a transfer for Sesko, but adds that Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres is being monitored.

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Sesko or Gyokeres?

Sesko is just 21 years old and has immense potential for growth, with his tally of 13 Bundesliga goals in 2024-25 a respectable return considering he has played in a dysfunctional Leipzig team.

At his best, the Slovenian is able to use his tall frame and physical strength to combat opposition centre-backs, battling against defenders to retain possession in the final third.

However, Sesko has at times shown inconsistencies with the ball at his feet, and he has been prone to periods without a goal, failing to find the back of the net in 10 of his last 14 games for club and country.

Arsenal could still look to sign Gyokeres, who has managed to score 45 goals in 41 matches for Sporting Lisbon this season, after also scoring 34 goals for the club in 42 games in 2023-24.

The Swede will be 27 by the time the 2025-26 campaign gets underway, but he has proven to be far more consistent in the final third than Sesko in recent years.

It could be wiser for Arteta to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates given there is pressure on him to deliver major silverware next term, and he may therefore not be able to wait for Sesko to iron out his flaws at Arsenal.

Written by
Lewis Nolan