Arsenal is reportedly active behind the scenes, working on recruiting several high-profile players. A recent update provides significant information regarding one of their potential targets.
Key Priorities: Winger and Striker
Signing a new winger and a new striker are understood to be the top priorities for the club`s sporting director in the upcoming months.
Injuries suffered by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the latter part of the 2024/2025 season left Mikel Arteta with limited options in attack. This situation also reinforced the widely held view among many critics that the addition of a prolific central forward is long overdue for the team.
Overview of Arsenal Transfer Spending Under Arteta (Selected Seasons):
- 20/21 Summer: £81.5m
- 21/22 Summer: £156.8m
- 22/23 Summer: £121.5m
- 23/24 Summer: £208m
- 24/25 Summer: £101.5m
While Mikel Merino managed reasonably well as an emergency striker cover, the recruitment team is keen to ensure Arteta has more robust options next season as they aim for a more successful challenge for the Premier League title.
Arsenal`s goal tally last season highlighted this need for more attacking output, with the team scoring only 69 goals in the league campaign, significantly fewer than the 91 and 88 goals they achieved in the two seasons prior.
Groundwork has reportedly been laid for potential deals involving Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, though it appears the Slovenian striker, Sesko, is currently the primary focus.
Reports suggest Arsenal`s talks for Sesko are progressing. RB Leipzig is reportedly seeking around £70 million for the forward, and the Gunners are working to find a middle ground in negotiations.
Additionally, Mikel Arteta and the club are looking to enhance their options on the flanks.
With Leandro Trossard nearing the final year of his contract and Bukayo Saka`s three-month injury layoff last season exposing a lack of depth on the wing, the necessity for signing an alternative wide player is clear.
Leroy Sane`s Potential Move: From Arsenal Interest to Galatasaray
One player who has been widely reported as a top target is Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane, who is available on a free transfer as his contract expires.
The experienced German international, once valued highly by Manchester City, is now set to leave Bayern without a transfer fee.
Reports indicate that Arsenal held discussions with Sane earlier this year, and more recent claims suggested the 29-year-old had spoken directly with Mikel Arteta about a potential move to the Emirates Stadium.
Sane reportedly received an offer from Arsenal and was thought to be keen on the prospect of working under Arteta again and joining the Gunners.
Although a contract extension at Bayern was possible until recently, Sane has reportedly informed the club that he will not be signing a new deal.
Despite previously being expected to favour a switch to Arsenal upon becoming a free agent, he has now reportedly made a different decision.
According to recent updates, Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray are now reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Sane instead.
While Sane`s high-level experience and track record of goals and assists make him a potentially excellent acquisition on a free transfer, his salary demands are reportedly very high.
The former Schalke player is said to be demanding a significant `mega-money` contract, which Galatasaray appears willing to provide.
Considering Sane is approaching 30, Arsenal may choose to pursue other high-profile wide players as alternatives, potentially offering better value for money in terms of salary over the long term.
