Arsenal to make ‘hot’ No. 9 first summer signing amid Andrea Berta reveal
Arsenal are planning to make a marquee striker their first summer signing as new sporting director Andrea Berta leads the charge for a top-tier striker, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Berta is “desperate” to get a striker deal over the line, though the club will face stiff competition from several top Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea due to a “hot market”.
One of those options is Benjamin Sesko, who will leave Leipzig if his release clause is triggered.
Football Insider revealed back in March that Arsenal were leading the race ahead of Tottenham to sign Sesko, with the 21-year-old continuing to impress in the Bundesliga this season.
Ollie Watkins has also been linked to the Gunners, after Arsenal tried to sign him in the January transfer window, but Aston Villa opted to sell Jhon Duran instead.
While Arsenal were strongly linked with Viktor Gyokeres, all signs now point to the club shifting focus to alternative targets.
Arsenal face disappointment in Viktor Gyokeres pursuit amid Man United confidence
Football Insider revealed on 21 April that Arsenal had opened talks to sign Gyokeres, with sporting director Berta playing a central role in the negotiations and pushing hard to land the forward.
However, those efforts may have come too late, as Football Insider later revealed that Man United are now confident of securing a deal for Gyokeres, with the club keen to reunite the striker with current manager Ruben Amorim.
Berta arrived at Arsenal with a strong reputation from his time at Atletico Madrid, where he oversaw high-profile striker signings including Joao Felix, Diego Costa, and Antoine Griezmann. But it now appears that his first major attacking target at the Emirates may have slipped away.
Arsenal were also previously interested in Sesko last season, before RB Leipzig tied him down to a new deal last summer. The North London club are actively exploring alternative options as they look to strengthen their front line.
| Season statistics | Benjamin Sesko | Ollie Watkins | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Appearances | 42 | 50 | 48 |
| Goals | 20 | 16 | 52 |
| Assists | 6 | 113 | 12 |
Arsenal plan to revive Ollie Watkins pursuit amid uncertainty at Aston Villa
The striker market is expected to be one of the most active areas of the summer window, and Football Insider revealed on 2 May that Arsenal are ready to reignite their interest in Aston Villa’s Watkins.
Watkins is believed to be unsettled at Villa Park after seeing his role diminished, particularly since Marcus Rashford’s arrival in January. The forward has found himself rotated more often and may now consider a move.
Arsenal had a £50million bid rejected for the England international in January, but the club remain keen and now see him as one of several viable striker options heading into next season.