Arsenal remain in the market for a new striker this summer with Alexander Isak one of their array of targets after Benjamin Sesko rejected any transfer to Emirates Stadium.
Sesko had emerged as a prime candidate in the Gunners’ search for a new centre-forward in recent weeks. But the 21-year-old elected to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig instead and is tied down to 2029. Arsenal liked Sesko after he scored 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga games.
A new striker is sought-after in north London with Mikel Arteta reacting to Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus only registering five and four goals in 27 Premier League matches respectively. Arsenal would lean on Kai Havertz to lead their attack for eight goals in 13 matches as a No9.
Arsenal feel targeting Alexander Isak’s transfer is a waste of their time
According to Ben Jacobs, Arsenal did indeed make Sesko a proposal for his transfer from RB Leipzig this summer. Emirates Stadium chiefs sought to target the Slovenia ace as they want a forward of his ilk. Now, the Gunners are turning to their wealth of alternative No9 targets.
Arteta also admires Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United’s Isak. But while Arsenal respect what Isak could offer in N5 and he is a long-term target, Arteta is unlikely to chase his arrival now.
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The feeling at Emirates Stadium is that the 24-year-old is just not for sale. Arsenal also think sporting director Edu would be wasting the Gunners’ time trying to land Isak’s transfer from Newcastle. So, they are weighing up which alternative target to chase after Sesko’s rejection.
Alexander Isak was Arsenal’s No1 striker target before Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal were ready to pay Sesko’s £55m release clause to seal his transfer from RB Leipzig, per the Mirror. The Gunners were even his favoured destination had the forward decided to seek a move. But Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic always told Arsenal that he could opt to stay.
It put another dent in Arteta’s pursuit of a new centre-forward, though, as The Independent had cited Isak as Arsenal’s No1 striker target before Sesko. The Sun also noted that, in a bid to beat Tottenham Hotspur for Isak’s transfer, Arsenal were happy to pay Newcastle £100m.
Arteta and Edu could have revived Arsenal’s interest in Isak following Sesko’s rejection after he scored 21 goals in 30 Premier League games last season. But they must now decide who the best alternative is, again, with Arsenal feeling that targeting Isak is a waste of their time.