Arsenal identify Benjamin Sesko 'Plan B'

Cameron Smith

• 8 Sept 2024 15:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are reportedly confident they will sign Benjamin Sesko in 2025, but they are also eyeing a move for Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram.

Mikel Arteta’s side attempted to sign Sesko during the summer transfer window, however he snubbed interest from the Gunners and instead signed a contract extension with RB Leipzig.

Despite this, Arsenal remain optimistic that Sesko will join the club next year, according to CaughtOffside.

READ MORE: Chelsea eye SHOCK January move for Arsenal star

Chelsea and Manchester United were also linked with a move for the Slovenia international this summer, but Arsenal appear to be the frontrunners in the race to sign him in 2025.

In fact, the north London club have reportedly initiated contact with Sesko’s representatives as they look to finalise an agreement that will see him leave Leipzig next summer.

However, Arsenal have identified the aforementioned Thuram as an alternative to Sesko.

READ MORE: Calafiori sends Arteta a message over Arsenal starting role

The France international notched 13 goals and seven assists in 35 Serie A appearances during his debut campaign at Inter in 2023-24, and he has already scored four times in three league games this season.

Thuram still has four years remaining on his current contract at San Siro, but Arsenal are monitoring his progress, as per CaughtOffside.

Sesko is still Arsenal’s priority target, however the Gunners are keeping a close eye on Thuram’s situation and could pursue a move for the Frenchman if they are unable to reach an agreement to sign Sesko.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

After Arsenal’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening game of the new Premier League season, Arteta told talkSPORT: “I have faith in [Havertz], we have faith in [Gabriel Jesus]. Leandro [Trossard] has played in that position.

"So we have different qualities there and the best thing we can do is trust the players that we have and try to improve them.

"They are so good and so willing and that's what we focus on.”

In addition to Sesko, Arsenal were also linked with Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Santiago Gimenez, but they failed to sign a new striker during the summer window.