Arsenal completely change transfer plans after Sesko snub

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Jun 2024 12:44 BST
• 3 min read

Signing a new midfielder is Arsenal's new transfer priority after being rejected by Benjamin Sesko, according to a report.

The Gunners were one of the three Premier League giants keen on securing the signature of RB Leipzig hotshot Sesko this summer. Arsenal were confident of having offered the Slovenian a more attractive project than fellow interested sides Chelsea and Man Utd, but the 21-year-old ultimately snubbed all of them to sign a bumper new deal.

Sesko's rejection left Arsenal unimpressed but not particularly bothered. Though they would have liked to pounce on the opportunity presented by his €65 million release clause, they feel that they are already well stocked in the forwards department. Additionally, they also still have a host of other names on their shortlist.

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In fact, The Athletic now reports that Sesko's decision has actually led to a change in transfer priorities at the Emirates, with Arsenal feeling that adding a midfielder is more important than pursuing an alternative to the Slovenian.

Arteta wants a No.6

It has been known for some time that Arsenal want to add another midfielder this summer to complement record signing Declan Rice, but there has thus far been significant uncertainty as to what profile of player they would target.

The above-mentioned report states that there is now some clarity on that question. The Gunners' current tendency is to add a No.6 rather than a No.8 as they feel the players potentially available for that position are more attractive.

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Though the report does not mention any players, we can safely name the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Youssouf Fofana as possible options, with the former a long-standing target of Mikel Arteta and the latter keen to leave Monaco this summer.

This also seems to confirm that Rice's Arsenal future lies in the No.8 role rather than as a holding midfielder, while it also likely spells the end for Thomas Partey. The injury-prone defensive midfielder is allowed to leave Arsenal this summer at the right price.