Arsenal willing to spend big on striker transfer NOW after Benjamin Sesko green light

Arsenal are desperate to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window and Mikel Arteta is hopeful they can land top target Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig

Arsenal are willing to do a big deal in January – but only if they can land a primary target.

They have been looking at top striker target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who will be allowed to move in the summer with Arsenal in pole position. The Gunners will see if they can tempt RB Leipzig into a deal now to boost the rest of their campaign with a striker.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has spelt out that the club are in the market and there has been dialogue with the hierarchy, including Josh Kroenke to bolster the squad. Sesko, 21, has a gentleman’s agreement of around £60m which would allow him to leave in the summer and any club would have to make an offer to tempt them to do business now.

RB Leipzig have had a disastrous Champions League campaign – they cannot qualify after six defeats – but are still well-placed in the Bundesliga. Arsenal wanted Sesko last summer but the Slovenian striker decided to stay put for one more year rather than share duties with Kai Havertz who had just enjoyed an outstanding season.

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But Arsenal have remained in touch, are on the case and are believed to be front-runners despite growing interest in the striker. It still remains odds against RB Leipzig selling but a bigger offer may tempt them and there is still a feeling that Arsenal are ready to do business.

But they are reluctant to compromise and rush into a deal now and then end up with a player who will not ultimately push their squad to the next level.

They did do a good deal for Brighton’s Leandro Trossard in January 2023 and the £27m deal has proved good business but it would be a different story to splash huge money on a big name who was not first choice.

Arsenal are also keen to strengthen their wide options but that may have to wait until the summer. No1 winger target Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is not available in January and wants a pay deal in excess of £300,000-a-week.

Arteta has been open about his desire to bring in reinforcements this month, stating: “At the moment we don’t have them [a striker]. We are trying, as I said, actively to find the best possible solution.

“We will have to wait and see what we can do. Obviously, that is not something I’m going to discuss here. We have lost two massive players for us in the front line and we need some support there.”

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