Arsenal to open war chest to sign world-class striker with eight players on shortlist… ‘but five stars could leave’
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Boss Mikel Arteta needs firepower, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres all on the radar.
The Gunners are also being linked with an array of other stars as the club prepare to unleash their war chest.
Arsenal have spent big in the last two summer windows, bringing in the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for a combined £204.5million last year.
This summer, signing a striker is the priority with Gabriel Jesus being plagued by injuries since he arrived in North London.
Kai Havertz has had to fill the role for much of the summer, with the German and Jesus combining for 18 goals between them.
SunSport understands the Arsenal hierarchy recognise Arteta’s squad currently lacks an attacking focal point and clinical edge in the final third.
Isak, Sesko and Gyokeres are of particular interest.
The Gunners have sent scouts to watch RB Leipzig’s 6ft 4in Slovenian Sesko, 20, and Sporting Lisbon’s Swedish former Coventry star Gyokeres.
Sesko has a £43m release clause, but he is also being tracked by both Manchester United and Chelsea, while Gyokeres would cost upwards of £80m.
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Sesko has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances in Germany.
Impressively, Gyokeres has bagged 36 goals and 16 assists in 44 games in all competitions after moving to Portugal from Championship Sky Blues in a £21m deal last July.
Isak, 24, has hit 21 goals this season despite an injury-hit campaign.
The Swede was scouted by Arsenal before his £60m Toon deal in 2022.
Joshua Zikzee and Xavi Simons are also on the radar.
Bologna’s Dutch wonder Zikzee is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe with the 6ft 4in 22-year-old forward valued at around £50m.
Simons is a talent in the Bukayo Saka mould currently on loan at RB Leipzig from PSG, but would cost close to £80m to sign.
According to The Mirror, Arteta also wants to sign players to provide competition for Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who have been overused this season.
Wolves winger Pedro Neto is a long-term target while Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams is another option, they claim.
Arsenal appear to have cooled their interest in Ivan Toney but another name on their wishlist is Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who could be an effective partner for Declan Rice.
To help fund incoming Arsenal could let a number of stars leave according to The Mirror, including Eddie Nketiah who is priced at £30m and a target for Crystal Palace.
Reiss Nelson is also available while the club could cash in on Leandro Trossard if a wide player is signed.
Another player whose future is uncertain is Aaron Ramsdale who has been demoted to David Raya’s understudy.
There is also interest being shown in youth product Emile Smith Rowe who has recently returned to first-team action.
Thomas Tuchel’s genius tactical tweak against Arsenal
FANS hailed Thomas Tuchel’s tactical tweak that “took Bukayo Saka out of the game” in their Champions League victory against Arsenal.
With regular full-back Alphonso Davies suspended, Tuchel deployed TWO full backs in his place in the shape of Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro.
The duo doubled up on Saka, with Mazraoui at left-back and Guerreiro playing higher up, offering him protection from midfield.
And the plan could not have worked out any better with Saka almost totally nullified.
One fan noted: “Thomas Tuchel with a tactical masterclass today starting two full-backs on the left wing to keep Bukayo Saka locked down.
“Through 75 minutes, Saka has 0 shots and 0 chances created. Just 19 accurate passes & 32 total touches…”
Tuchel himself explained: “You have to defend a lot on that side. Arsenal’s right side is where most attacks usually start. That’s their danger side. That’s why we chose Rafa (Guerreiro).”
Read more on Tuchel’s genius here.