Report: Arsenal now face serious competition to sign £43m-rated striker, he's scored 17 goals this season

Arsenal have been handed a major blow in their bid to sign a £43m-rated striker this summer, according to a recent report.

The Gunners are in the midst of a Premier League title race with Manchester City but behind the scenes, club chiefs are drawing up transfer plans.

Kai Havertz endured a tough start to his career in North London but has really flourished of late in the number nine role.

Despite that, it has come to light that Mikel Arteta is eyeing a move for a striker this summer, though, one of his rumoured targets could be set to join another club.

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Arsenal handed blow in bid to sign Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko has been in fine form for RB Leipzig this season, netting 17 goals across all competitions.

The 20-year-old has been a rumoured target of Arsenal, as they bid to sign another striker in the upcoming transfer window.

Though, according to Gazzetta.it, Sesko is ‘convinced’ by the proposition of joining European giants Milan, who are prepared to submit a £43m proposal.

That said, Arsenal could still pry him away from the Italian side if they are to present an irresistible pitch to the promising young forward.

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Arsenal may have to focus on other targets

It seems Milan are in pole position to land Sesko so the North Londoners may have to focus on other targets, with perhaps Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee or Sporting’s Victor Gyokeres viable alternatives.

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal admire the aforementioned pair but both are expected to cost significantly more than Sesko.

Zirkzee could cost in excess of £50m whilst Gyokeres has a staggering £86m release clause, so both deals will require substantial financial resources.