Arsenal’s No.9 targets confirmed by Fabrizio Romano

Robin Bairner

Updated: 16 May 2024 08:39 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, targets, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the three strikers that Arsenal are looking at prior to the summer transfer window.

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Romano has reiterated exclusives revealed previously by FootballTransfers as to the identity of the forwards that Mikel Arteta is studying and has outlined the state of play for each as Arsenal chase a goal-scoring No.9.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed on 3 May that RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko had become the Gunners’ primary target in the transfer market because of his relatively attainable price.

STATS

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

41

Games
17

Goals
2

Assists

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak was also studied, but the Magpies are unlikely to do a deal.

Previously, Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres had been Arteta’s leading target, but the strong form of Kai Havertz put the Spaniard off spending over €100 million on the Sweden star.

Which striker will Arsenal sign this summer?

Romano has confirmed Arsenal’s interest in all three players.

“My understanding remains that there are four or five clubs interested in Sesko as I’ve been saying since January and I’m told that nothing has changed at this stage. There are no negotiations yet, just interest from clubs in the Premier League and not only,” Romano writes for the Daily Briefing.

“Sesko is appreciated by Arsenal but it’s the same for Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, for example, so I’m not sure we’re at the moment yet to be talking about any one of these specific targets advancing to anything more concrete.

“I’ve also mentioned Chelsea’s interest in Sesko before, but as I wrote here recently, I think we have to be patient on Sesko – the time for decisions is not now, on both club and player side. It’s one to discuss probably next month, but nothing is decided or clear right now.”

Despite Romano’s comments, FootballTransfers understands that Sesko is presently their leading transfer target due to his €50m release clause – making him half the price Sporting are currently demanding for Gyokeres.