Arsenal ready to activate transfer Plan B as Mbappe to Real Madrid causes collateral damage

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 5 Feb 2024 21:51 GMT
• 2 min read

Kylian Mbappe’s potential move from PSG to Real Madrid is set to have a knock-on effect at Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side poised to rethink their transfer strategy in anticipation of the blockbuster summer switch.

Reports in France suggest the tendency of Mbappe is to depart PSG on a free transfer in the summer in a deal that will cause a cascade of moves elsewhere.

Arsenal are set to be one of those sides affected.

Arteta had been plotting a potential summer move for Xavi Simons, yet it appears that PSG are eager to retain the Dutchman as Mbappe’s replacement.

FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that Arsenal’s manager still has a huge appreciation for Wolves’ Pedro Neto – and his assist in a 4-2 win over Chelsea on Sunday will only have aided that – but the Emirates club are still looking for someone to play through the middle.

Arsenal watching Sesko

To that end, Arsenal scouts are closely tracking RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko, according to Christian Falk.

“Benjamin Sesko came in the summer for €24 million to Leipzig. AC Milan are currently offering €40m. Arsenal are also watching the attacker. He has an exit clause of €50m,” Falk writes of a player who is under contract with the Bundesliga side until 2028.

The 20-year-old has long been a player linked with Manchester United due to the clear physical suitability he has to play as a centre-forward in the Premier League, but Arteta will weigh up whether the youngster is worth triggering his release clause for.

Sesko’s current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is only €21.5m, which is less than half the money that the Gunners would likely need to pay in the summer to beat Milan to him.

Arteta, of course, is monitoring several players. As well as Sesko and Simons, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is the most lavish alternative for the No.9 role at Arsenal, although competition here will come from Chelsea, who are warm favourites to land the Nigeria international, and potentially even Manchester United.