Arsenal are also “in talks” over signing a marquee former PSG player who could come as an alternative to RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with sporting director Andrea Berta seemingly holding discussions for numerous transfer targets.
Andrea Berta's reported approaches as Arsenal target forward signings
In one of his “first acts” as the Gunners’ transfer chief, Berta reached out to the agents of Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams (Ed Aarons), so the 53-year-old has been working extensively on the club’s recruitment drive for quite some time.
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Since then, it’s been reported that Berta’s held “numerous talks” with a succession of targets for the wide area, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Atalanta star Ademola Lookman and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma also under consideration at the Emirates (Florian Plettenberg).
Arsenal are described as “very active” in the market, and this is especially true when it comes to their search for a new striker.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
A plethora of reports from Portugal in the last fortnight have claimed that Arsenal have offered a contract to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres (O Jogo), and while this is yet to be backed up by sources closer to home, Sky Germany believe that Berta has at least held extensive talks with the Swedish international.
However, reliable sources with much more recent information indicate that Sesko is emerging as the primary centre-forward target.
Fabrizio Romano, for example, confirms that Arsenal are in “concrete” initial talks for the Slovenia international and a deal is “on”.
Given Arsenal missed out on Sesko last summer and in January, not to mention his price tag is now mooted at up to £93 million (The Telegraph), it is wise for Berta to carry on testing the water for alternative options as well.
Arsenal also "in talks" over Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké
Eintracht Frankfurt sensation and ex-PSG striker Hugo Ekitike, who’s fresh off the back of an excellent full debut season in the Bundesliga, is being courted by Arsenal as well.
The Frenchman scored 22 goals and racked up 12 assists in 48 appearances across 24/25, with Eintracht valuing him at around £84 million, which still makes him a slightly cheaper deal to do than Sesko as things stand.
According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, taking to X, Frankfurt and Ekitike have been planning his exit for months, and Arsenal are believed to be one of the sides “in talks” over a potential move for the 22-year-old.
“Hugo Ekitike and the board of Frankfurt have been planning the transfer of the French striker this summer for several months,” wrote Aouna.
“As revealed in March, some European clubs are already in talks, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
“A meeting is scheduled this week between Ekitike’s agent and Chelsea. Frankfurt are already looking for a substitute and opened talks with Jonathan Burkardt.”
His goalscoring exploits in Germany showcase a fierce talent who’ll surely only get better, leaving little surprise Arsenal are also in the race given their dire need for a striker.
