Arsenal’s second-place Premier League finish has given little chance for celebration, and the pressure is piling up for Mikel Arteta to bring about silverware within the coming season. With the Gunners shifting toward off-season preparations, they’ve not hesitated in finding the marquee signings to beef up their unit—and two top targets have come into view: Benjamin Sesko and Rafael Leao.
With the 2024/25 season already being planned in the background, sporting director Andrea Berta has allegedly sped up talks to place Arsenal at the head of the queue for two of the most promising forwards in Europe.
🚨BREAKING: Benjamin Sesko will be left out of RB Leipzig’s pre-season tour as Arsenal are positioning themselves for his signing.
RB Leipzig would start talks at £59m with hopes of getting £84m.
[@BILD] pic.twitter.com/OlZgGZ2yfa
As per Spain reports, Arsenal are making plans to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko with a €100 million (£83.9 million) offer. The Slovenian attacking player is a long-term subject of Arteta’s admiration due to his technical player and playmaker qualities.
Sesko, 21, is seen as the sort of attacking player who would slot perfectly into Arsenal’s free-flowing attacking system. His capacity to drop deep, link with midfielders, and yet remain a regular goal threat makes him an elite alternative for Arsenal, who have not managed to find a finished No. 9 in the recent past.
While initial projections estimated the player at £60–70 million, recent rumor places Arsenal willing to bid more in order to discourage competition and persuade Leipzig into negotiations. With Sesko’s stock still rising, Berta has reportedly already spoken to the Bundesliga club.
Aside from strengthening their main attacking lineup, Arsenal are also in hot pursuit of reinforcements down the flanks. AC Milan‘s Rafael Leao is now a serious candidate, particularly after news of a drastic reduction in his price tag—from £84 million to £67 million.
🚨 Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with AC Milan winger Rafael Leao in a bid to persuade him to move to the Premier League this summer.
(Source: @TEAMtalk) pic.twitter.com/k3di8MGMC1
The transfer has seen immediate response from Andrea Berta, who has been reportedly in contact with Milan to evaluate the potential of a deal. Leao, widely considered one of Europe’s most talented wingers, would provide Arsenal with a direct and dynamic option on the left—one that can disturb first-team defences.
While the Portuguese international has attracted criticism from his former Milan boss Paulo Fonseca for inconsistent form, Leao recently came out to defend his form and said: “There are ups and downs, but I’ve been having a great season. Criticism motivates me, and I listen to those who help me improve.”
The 24-year-old’s tempo, ball control, and capacity to deliver against big games might bring a new dimension to Arsenal’s attacking arsenal, particularly as the club is about to play four fronts next season.
While the fans are still trying to get over the frustration of another trophy-less campaign, Arteta and his team are already planning for 2025. After the season finale, the Spanish gaffer announced that he and the club had agreed on plans for pre-season and the start of next season months ago.
Now [the planning starts], because tomorrow we already have some things that we are discussing and making decisions,” said Arteta. “When I start to think about that, I get goosebumps and excitement, and that is always a good sign.”
Arteta assured he will be taking a short break, but explained that his rhythm already will be changing. “There are plenty of things to do, but it won’t be with that sense of a game to come. It will be different—and that makes all the difference.”
With Benjamin Sesko and Rafael Leao at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist for the summer, it’s obvious the Gunners are keen to create a team that will be able to compete straight away. The failings of last season have prompted an earlier transfer plan, and Arsenal look set to spend big to support their manager.
If either—or both—of these signings come off, it would be a firm statement of intention: Arsenal are not waiting any longer. They want to win right now.
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