Better than Sane: Arsenal in talks to sign £50m star alongside Sesko

Arsenal`s forward options have been significantly impacted by injuries during the 2024/25 season, which severely hindered their challenge for the Premier League title.

Manager Mikel Arteta frequently had to deploy improvised attacking lineups due to the prolonged absences of key players like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka.

Despite these challenges, the team managed to score 69 goals in their 38 league matches, a total surpassed only by Liverpool and Manchester City in England`s top flight.

These injury issues underscore the critical need for greater depth and quality in the attacking department, necessitating that the club`s leadership provide Arteta with the necessary transfer budget to make significant improvements.

With the summer transfer window rapidly approaching, it offers the Spanish manager an opportunity to secure the players he has identified, thereby strengthening the squad for a renewed title challenge in the upcoming campaign.

Update on Arsenal`s Summer Transfer Targets

Acquiring a new central forward has been a primary focus for Arsenal over the past few months, with Benjamin Sesko emerging as the latest player on their radar for the off-season.

Recent reports suggest that the Gunners have already initiated discussions with RB Leipzig regarding a transfer for the 21-year-old striker, who reportedly has an £84 million release clause in his current contract.

However, Sesko is not the only attacker linked with a move; Real Sociedad`s Takefusa Kubo is also reportedly in talks with the club regarding a potential transfer to the Emirates, according to sources in Spain.

The same report indicates that Arsenal faces competition from fellow English club Liverpool for the 23-year-old`s signature. Kubo contributed a combined 11 goals and assists this season.

Furthermore, Kubo`s contract with the LaLiga club is said to include a €60 million (£50 million) release clause. He could potentially make the move to North London this summer, possibly alongside his teammate Martin Zubimendi.

Why the £50m Target Could Be a Better Option Than Sané

Despite the links to Sesko and Kubo, Bayern Munich`s Leroy Sané has also been mentioned as a potential summer signing for Arsenal.

The German international, who scored 11 Bundesliga goals this season, is reportedly nearing the end of his contract at the Allianz Arena and could depart in June.

The 29-year-old is also attracting interest from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, potentially setting up an intriguing transfer battle between the two clubs in the coming months.

Sané previously played in the Premier League for Manchester City, where he scored 39 goals in 135 appearances over four years.

However, despite Sané`s availability and Premier League experience, Arteta might be better off pursuing Kubo instead, as the Japanese international appears to outperform Sané in several crucial metrics.

Kubo, described as “world-class” by former Barcelona manager Xavi, scored fewer goals but demonstrates greater clinical finishing with a better goals-per-shot-on-target ratio this season.

Furthermore, he excels in progressive carries and completed take-ons, indicating his effectiveness at driving forward with the ball and challenging defenders.

Kubo`s creative contributions are also notable, completing more crosses and passes into the final third per 90 minutes, suggesting he is more adept at creating chances and supporting teammates in advanced positions.

Choosing Kubo over Sané might seem audacious considering their differing price tags this summer, but his performances in LaLiga suggest he could be a more suitable and impactful option for Arteta`s system.

Being six years younger than Sané, the 23-year-old Kubo also offers significant potential for future development should he complete a £50 million transfer to Arsenal.