Arsenal transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and more

Arsenal will be hoping for a productive summer as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term.

It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta’s side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG.

A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merino, a defensive midfielder, to take up a role of makeshift number nine for the final months of the season.

What these fitness problems demonstrated is that despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal’s depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles, both domestically and on the continent.

And with numerous players already on the chopping block, Arteta has promised a “big” summer of recruitment at the Emirates.

New sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club’s transfer dealings, and Arsenal will be hoping he can replicate his Atleti exploits in London as Arteta looks to lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006.

With the transfer window having re-opened on 16 June, a striker remains top of the club’s shopping list, though the club have been linked with midfield and winger signings in recent weeks.

Here’s everything you need to know about Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.

Areas to improve

The obvious priority for Arsenal will be to sign at least one world class striker. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined with a serious injury that could keep him out until midway through next season, and while the returning Kai Havertz remains one of Arteta’s favoured players, there is a strong desire to add an out-and-out proven goalscorer to the ranks.

The Gunners will also look to add central midfielder, with Thomas Partey set to leave the club on a free when his contract expires at the end of the month, though it does look as though a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi will be completed soon.

Inconsistency on the Gabriel Martinelli front means that a left-winger could also be targeted, bringing healthy competition for the Brazilian if not to simply replace him.

Elsewhere, cover is expected to be sought at full-back with current options touted for exits, while a backup goalkeeper for David Raya could be acquired as Neto returns to Bournemouth from his loan spell.

Done deals

Outs: Nuno Tavares (Lazio, £7m), Marquinhos (Cruzeiro £2.5m), Jorginho (Flamengo, free transfer), Kieran Tierney (Celtic, free transfer)

Potential targets

Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad

Zubimendi looks pretty nailed on to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer. The Real Sociedad midfielder, 26, is set for a medical with the Gunners after his £51m release clause was met. It comes a year after the Spain international apparently rejected the advances of Liverpool, who pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title this term. A metronome in the middle of the park, excelling in a deep-lying playmaker role, Zubimendi fits the bill in terms of Arteta’s midfield desires this summer.

Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig

Though Viktor Gyokeres was long touted as Arsenal’s preferred striker signing, recent reports suggest that the Gunners would now prefer RB Leipzig sharpshooter Benjamin Sesko.

The 22-year-old has a penchant for ripping the net off and appears to be quickly transitioning into Arsenal’s preferred option up top. Arteta has sanctioned talks with the Slovenian as they look to beat Chelsea to his signature, with the German club reportedly looking for between £65m and £85m.

Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP

Arsenal need a striker and prolific Sporting frontman Gyokeres, 26, seemed to be their first choice for a while. The ex-Coventry man has stamped his mark as one of the best in his position in Europe, netting 97 goals in just 102 appearances across two seasons in Lisbon.

Rumours suggest that the Gunners have already had a £60m bid for him rejected, though some reports claim that Arsenal have cooled their interest. In short, nothing is known for sure, and this one could become one of the sagas of the summer, along with the pursuit of Sesko.

Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao

Williams has been on Arsenal’s radar since his stunning Euro 2024 campaign last summer – and despite a slightly underwhelming follow-up campaign last season, there is still no denying the 22-year-old’s talent. The Spaniard could prove the perfect reinforcement down the left wing, putting pressure on Martinelli to start playing at his dangerous best regularly, or else suffer a drop down the pecking order. However, recent reports have strongly linked the Spaniard with a move to Barcelona, though nothing has been agreed between the clubs.

Current squad

Not including confirmed departures or on-loan players returning to parent clubs.

Goalkeepers

22. David Raya

30. Tommy Setford

31. Karl Hein (loaned out)

Defenders

2. William Saliba

4. Ben White

6. Gabriel

12. Jurrien Timber

15. Jakub Kiwior

17. Oleksandr Zinchenko

18. Takehiro Tomiyasu

33. Riccardo Calafiori

Midfielders

5. Thomas Partey (out of contract this summer, unconfirmed departure)

8. Martin Odegaard

21. Fabio Vieira

23. Albert Lokonga

23. Mikel Merino

41. Declan Rice

Forwards

7. Bukayo Saka

9. Gabriel Jesus

11. Gabriel Martinelli

19. Leandro Trossard

24. Reiss Nelson

29. Kai Havertz

53. Ethan Nwaneri

Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN. Sign up here now.