Arsenal 'eye loan move' for Premier League striker amid Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko interest

Arsenal remain in the hunt for a striker as they look to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side are currently six points behind the Reds.

They drew 2-2 to Aston Villa in their last match, after going 2-0 up thanks to Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. However, they couldn’t hang on, and the two sides ended up sharing the points.

Due to the ACL injury that Gabriel Jesus suffered during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, they are desperate need of more depth at the striker position, with only Kai Havertz able to play the position.

Recent reports have linked the Gunners to both Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko this January, however, a new target has now emerged who would join the Gunners on a loan deal.

Evan Ferguson signing would sacrifice Arsenal loan agreement

Arsenal have been linked with Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, who looks likely to leave the Amex Stadium on a loan move this month, due to his recent injury struggles and lack of game time under Fabian Hurzeler.

According to GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs on X, Arsenal are assessing their striker options. He said: “Strong interest in Benjamin Sesko but likely a summer saga. Evan Ferguson of interest if Brighton sanction an exit but Arsenal have to buy or send Neto back. Raheem Sterling’s loan does not have a January break clause.”

The Gunners already have hit their quota of Premier League loans with Raheem Sterling from Chelsea, and Neto from Bournemouth. So one of those deals would need to be terminated, and as Sterling’s deal doesn’t have a break clause, it would have to be Neto.

The Brazilian goalkeeper has made just three appearances for the Gunners this season, so terminating his loan may be something that Arteta is prepared to do, should they want to sign Ferguson.

The Brighton striker has struggled this season for form, making 12 appearances in the Premier League, and scoring just once. The 20-year-old broke out in the 2022/23 season, when at the age of 18, he scored 16 goals in 34 games for Brighton.

Arsenal could sign him until the end of the season, to help replace Gabriel Jesus on a budget, rather than having to splash big money on the likes of Osimhen or Sesko.

Arsenal’s Premier League competition to land Ferguson loan deal

The Gunners aren’t the only Premier League team that are keen to loan in the Ireland international. West Ham have been heavily linked to signing him as they also aim to land a striker in the January transfer window.

West Ham recently had a bid rejected for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran however, so they may have turned their attention to the exciting Columbian.

Furthermore, Leicester City, and Fulham are also said to be keen on signing Ferguson on a loan deal, he is valued at £100m by Brighton for a permanent deal, and so it is understood that none of the interested clubs are aiming to bring him in permanently.