Arsenal tipped to reignite £70m striker transfer chase this summer amid rival Chelsea interest

Arsenal yet again failed to sign a striker during the January transfer window, leaving Mikel Arteta with just Kai Havertz who can play up front for the Gunners.

They saw a £60m bid rejected for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, but apart from that, didn’t pursue any of their other linked strikers during the January transfer window.

The Gunners sit second in the Premier League table, but come off a game in the Carabao Cup where their attacking play was overshadowed by opponents Newcastle United.

The Magpies beat Arsenal 2-0 in the second leg at St James’ Park on Wednesday, booking their place in the final with a 4-0 aggregate score. Alexander Isak was able to cause the Arsenal defence a lot of issues, but Kai Havetrz was unable to create much at all.

It amplified Arsenal’s need for a new number nine, something that they will likely address in the summer transfer window, when more of their targets will be available to buy.

Benjamin Sesko emerges as ‘priority’ target for Arsenal

The Gunners have been heavily linked with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who has established himself as one of the most prolific attackers in the Bundesliga.

Sesko, 21, has made 29 appearances for Leipzig this season, scoring 14 goals and contributing three assists. According to a report by the Independent, Sesko is the most likely signing for Arsenal in the summer and has emerged as a priority target for Arteta.

The Slovenian wasn’t available during the January transfer window. Still, Leipzig would be more prepared to sell him in the summer, which could provoke a bidding war between all interested clubs, including Arsenal. The Gunners would have to pay around £70m for the Bundesliga striker, a hefty fee that could rise if he continues to impress.

London rivals Chelsea are also said to be interested in Sesko, as reports said that they held talks with the striker during the January transfer window, despite Sesko not being available for a transfer in the winter.

Arsenal missed out on several January transfer targets

The Gunners were linked to several strikers in January, but opted not to sign any of them, despite all the noise surrounding their need for a number nine. They were linked to Mathys Tel, who ended up signing for rivals Tottenham on a loan deal with a £50m option to buy. However, decided to pull out their interest in the 19-year-old ahead of transfer deadline day.

Furthermore, they had been linked with Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, who was reluctant to sign a new contract at Molineux, although as Arsenal didn’t make a bid for the 25-year-old, he has signed a new deal with Wolves, keeping him at the club until June 2029.