Arsenal is reportedly closing in on a deal to sign a £60 million striker — a move that Bukayo Saka is sure to welcome.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has a clear objective this summer: secure a top-class striker or risk disappointing fans worldwide.
Despite making good progress early in the transfer window, there’s still work to be done. The full outcome of this window will only be judged once it closes.
So far, Arsenal hasn’t officially announced any new signings, though three targets are in the pipeline: goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Christian Norgaard, and most notably, Martin Zubimendi.
Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente has described Zubimendi as “one of the best midfielders in the world.” Football expert Sid Lowe has also praised the 26-year-old, calling him arguably “the best deep-lying midfielder in Europe after Rodri.” Clearly, Zubimendi would be a major addition.
However, a major concern remains — Arsenal still hasn’t secured a new striker.
Latest on Arsenal’s Striker Hunt
Two names are leading the conversation for Arsenal’s number nine position: Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
Sesko was a key target last summer, but the Slovenian striker chose to extend his stay at RB Leipzig. However, he’s now expected to leave the Bundesliga this transfer window.
Leipzig initially demanded between €80m (£68m) and €100m (£85m) for Sesko, but German outlet BILD reports that the price has now dropped to around €70m (£60m) plus add-ons. If that price holds, Arsenal could be tempted to make a formal offer.
Gyokeres’ situation is more complicated. According to Portuguese source O Jogo, his club, Sporting CP, is now demanding €80m (£68m), a change from their earlier stance.
However, reports suggest Arsenal has already reached an agreement with Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, for a transfer valued at around €60m plus €10m in bonuses — effectively £60m.
No matter which striker they secure, Arsenal looks set to spend in the region of £70m.
How Gyokeres Could Transform Arsenal’s Attack — And Help Saka
The 2024/25 season proved just how crucial Bukayo Saka is to Arsenal. He finished with 12 goals — the second-highest at the club — and led in assists with 14, despite being sidelined for months due to a hamstring injury.
Arsenal struggled in his absence, lacking depth, especially on the right flank. Rising star Ethan Nwaneri stepped up, but the squad’s limitations were exposed when Kai Havertz was also injured.
During the 12 league games without Saka, Arsenal dropped points in five — a costly setback in the title race. The team scored more than two goals in only two of those matches, a 5-1 loss to Manchester City and a 3-1 win over Brentford.
The need for a top striker is obvious. Pairing Saka with a prolific scorer like Gyokeres could transform Arsenal’s attack. Gyokeres netted a staggering 54 goals in 52 appearances last season — numbers unmatched across Europe.
Journalist Alex Turk describes him as a “monster” in front of goal, perfectly capturing his dominance inside the box.
This partnership would suit Saka perfectly. While Gyokeres thrives on finishing chances, Saka is a creative force. Last season, Saka led the Premier League in several key metrics — expected assists per 90 (0.41), shot-creating actions per 90 (6.09), and goal-creating actions per 90 (1.20)
