Arsenal step up talks with £70m striker who is keen on Emirates move – as Mikel Arteta eyes former Chelsea star

Arsenal has performed conversations with Red Bull Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko.

The Gunners work to get a deal of around £ 70 million for the Slovenian, but still have to offer.

Sesko, who scored 21 goals and last season had six assists in all competitions, including four in the Champions League, wants the move.

The Gunners had previously rejected Sesko offers in May last year and during the most recent transfer window in January.

The Noord -Londers had looked at their forward options in January and to introduce offers for Sesko and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, both of which were rejected.

Mikel Arteta remained short in the last third part of the field for the second half of the season when Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were both seriously injured in January and February.

They were also without Bukayo Saka for a large part of the 2024-25 campaign, after he had sustained a hamstring injury that required surgery just before Christmas.

While wing player Gabriel Martinelli was also absent at various points.

As a result, they were forced to play with Mikel Merino, traditionally a central midfield player, as an emergency.

Although Merino set up impressive numbers in his unknown role, scored nine goals and contributed five assists, a lack of depth in the attack eventually saw Arsenal fading in the title race.

Arsenal also wants Chelsea -goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga although he rates all options.

The side of Arteta has lost Neto who has returned to Bournemouth after a season on loan at the Emirates and they miss an experienced backup for the first choice keeper David Raya.

Kepa was on loan in Bournemouth last season and is not being sought at Chelsea.

Kepa's return to Stamford Bridge means that Enzo Maresca has five shot stoppers in their books, including Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic and Mike Penders.

The Spaniard has another year about his deal, after he joined Chelsea in 2018.

Kepa has won the Champions League and Europa League with the blues and has a release clause of £ 5 million.

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