Arsenal transfer news: Barcelona to be edged out with £83m striker bid?

The Gunners are currently on course to finish second in the Premier League table for the third successive season.

As well as sitting seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool, Mikel Arteta's side have established a six-point advantage ahead of the best of the rest.

With Kai Havertz having joined the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, Arteta arguably deserves more credit than he has received for keeping the North Londoners in their current lofty heights.

Nevertheless, with the Spaniard having conceded that he has 'regrets' over the club's activity in the winter transfer window, it is clear that Arsenal will spend big on a new striker during the summer.

Arsenal's top target for the summer?

According to El Nacional, Arsenal are 'willing to blow up' Barcelona's chase for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko by making a big-money bid.

The report alleges that Arteta is ready to give the green light to an £83m offer being made for the Slovenia international when the market reopens in June.

Although Barcelona's financial situation has recently improved, it is emphasised that they would have no chance of competing with Arsenal if such a proposal was forwarded.

Barcelona are said to have 'dreamed' of Sesko being the natural successor to Robert Lewandowski who, despite still being in free-scoring form, turns 37 years of age in August.

That has left club officials to scour the market for a suitable replacement, Sesko of a similar size and stature to eventually take the place of the legendary Pole.

At this stage, however, it appears that the 21-year-old will have the opportunity to move to Arsenal for 2025-26 should he so wish.

Will Sesko jump at the chance to leave RB Leipzig?

Much may depend on how soon Sesko wishes to challenges for honours or whether he wants another campaign of development in the Bundesliga.

Sesko has hardly been prolific in the German top flight this season, contributing just nine times in 21 games, and that return has played its part in Leipzig sitting 18 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.

Furthermore, they were dumped out of the Champions League in the League Phase, but Sesko possesses a contract until 2029.

Providing that he continues on an upward trajectory, Sesko will always have options, essentially leaving him to decide whether he sees Arteta delivering trophies at the Emirates Stadium in the long term.

Written by

Darren Plant