Arsenal Transfer DealSheet: Sesko, Zubimendi and other options

How do you improve on a record-breaking season?

That’s the challenge Arsenal face this summer. Despite recording their most wins and highest goal tally in a Premier League campaign, they were pipped to the post by Manchester City.

Arsenal are tantalisingly close — which arguably makes sporting director Edu’s job all the more delicate. Finding the areas suitable for upgrade, where Arsenal can improve by those tiny but essential margins, is challenging.

The main objective this summer is to add layers to their squad. Last season, they were able to rely on a relatively small pool of players, with a group of 14 sharing the majority of minutes. Arsenal would like to expand that group, affording manager Mikel Arteta the opportunity to rotate and thus better sustain competing across multiple fronts.

Having already conducted a squad audit on who might leave this summer, it’s time to focus on who might arrive.

Before we begin, a disclaimer: reporting on transfers is a thorny business. Procuring the details of recruitment plans requires something akin to espionage. This is information that clubs typically do not want to be made public — if detail about transfers is volunteered, it is to be regarded with suspicion.

Arsenal have already demonstrated the capacity to go about their work undetected. The signing of Jakub Kiwior in January 2023 was all but agreed before international media caught wind of it. We have sought to be as thorough as possible, but Arsenal are still capable of springing a surprise.

The information in this article covers the extent of our knowledge of Arsenal’s summer plans at this time, and has been multiply sourced using The Athletic’s guidelines. As things inevitably evolve over the course of the summer, we will keep you abreast of developments.

What positions are they looking at this summer?

After Arsenal’s elimination against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, the feeling among the hierarchy was that the team lacked a certain X-factor in attack — something special to unlock defences on the biggest occasions.

Since last summer, Arsenal have had the notion that this year’s priority would be to add a new centre-forward. The form of Kai Havertz, particularly when operating as a striker, has reduced the urgency somewhat. Nevertheless, they are still prepared to go into the market for the right No 9. They are also open to improving in other attacking positions if they identify a player who can bring a new dimension to their game.

In midfield, Arsenal’s recruitment priorities will be determined by a decision on Declan Rice’s role in the team. If the England international is to be used primarily as a No 6, then they will need a No 8 to complement him — and vice-versa.

As of yet, there has not been a clear decision on Rice’s role in the team. It may be that Arsenal keep their options open, intending to recruit a player with the versatility to grant Arteta even greater tactical flexibility. At present, it seems as if Arsenal may be leaning towards keeping Rice in the No 8 role. He flourished there during the run-in — and, what’s more, the club feel the market for No 8s is difficult this summer.

Another position that is in focus is left-back. Arteta had a variety of options in this position during the season just gone, but did not appear particularly convinced by them. The return to fitness of Jurrien Timber provides yet another alternative, but Arsenal are continuing to monitor the market for a specialist.

The goalkeeper position will require attention yet again this summer. David Raya will be signed permanently, but other than that there could be an exodus of goalkeepers. Arsenal will almost certainly need a deputy for Raya, but they are also considering adding a third goalkeeper to round out the group.

Quite how much incoming business Arsenal do is likely to depend on sales. The more buyers are found for players on the fringes of the squad, the more signings can be made.

Which players are they looking at?

The current focus in the forward line is RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenia international has a release clause in his contract, believed to be for a fee in the region of €65m (£55.3m, $70.4m). Sesko has attracted significant interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and Europe, but the feeling among other clubs is that if Sesko is to move then Arsenal are in pole position.

They have followed him closely since his time in the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg. It is felt the 6ft 5in (196cm) striker would make for an effective alternative to Havertz.

Although Arsenal have been linked with Alexander Isak, and have a long-standing interest in the player, no developments are expected. Newcastle United’s position is the player is not for sale, and it would take a huge sum of money for that commitment to waver.

If Arsenal opt to pursue a wide forward, there is long-term interest in Pedro Neto of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao. In the case of Neto, his injury record is cause for considerable caution.

In midfield, Arsenal remain very interested in Martin Zubimendi. The 25-year-old plays for Arteta’s boyhood club, Real Sociedad — and the Arsenal manager is a keen admirer of his talent. The difficulty may be persuading Zubimendi to leave the Basque region. Although he has a release clause in his contract worth around £50m, he has thus far expressed no desire to leave his hometown.

Arsenal are also among the Premier League clubs interested in Benfica’s 19-year-old Joao Neves. The Portugal international is likely to have a number of high-profile suitors this summer after a breakout season with his club.

As with Isak, admiration for Bruno Guimaraes is not expected to go further. The Brazilian has a £100m release clause that is active until the end of June, and Newcastle are likely to demand a sum in that region even after that point.

Zubimendi and Neves are seen primarily as holding midfielders. A new No 8 remains on Arsenal’s radar, but the club feel there are relatively few suitable options on the market. Players like Frenkie de Jong and Lucas Paqueta are unlikely to be on the move this summer, albeit for very different reasons. The acquisition of a No 9 could allow Havertz to play more games in midfield, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri is also expected to feature more often next season.

One player Arsenal have been considering at left-back is Ajax’s Jorrel Hato. The Athletic revealed Arsenal’s long-term interest in the Dutch international in January. Although he most commonly plays at centre-back, he has featured as a left-back and has the attributes to fit Arteta’s vision for the role.

Jorrel Hato was named Ajax’s talent of the year this season (ANP via Getty Images)

Hato turned 18 in March and is now eligible to move to the Premier League. Unfortunately for clubs hoping to sign him, in the same month he signed a new contract until 2028. It replaces his previous deal, which ran until 2025 — and gives Ajax a much stronger negotiation position. It will take an enormous offer to persuade Ajax to part with their young star this summer.

When it comes to goalkeepers, Arsenal have been linked with Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow. With two years remaining on his contract, it is true he is primed for a move this summer. Bijlow has his admirers at Arsenal — his ability with his feet makes him a suitable back-up for Raya — but goalkeeper recruitment is an area where the coaching staff have considerable influence. The opinion of goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana may prove decisive.

If Cana is convinced by Bijlow, sources close to the situation — who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — suggest he could be acquired for little more than €10m.

Who will make the key decisions this summer?

Arteta and Edu have the final sign-off on all first-team transfers — but the talent identification process involves a much wider team. “It is not my decision or Mikel,” Edu told Brazilian outlet Estadao last week. “It’s from a whole group.”

Mikel Arteta and Edu will have oversight of any incomings (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Who will they be looking to sell?

This was largely covered in The Athletic’s squad audit. There are some players whose lack of game time demonstrates they are on the periphery of Arteta’s plans — the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Aaron Ramsdale. Those who have been out on loan, such as Albert Sambi Lokonga or Kieran Tierney, are also likely to depart.

There is another category of player to consider — those who remain part of Arteta’s plans, but who could be available if the right offer arrives. That includes Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and even Gabriel Jesus.

Which players’ contracts are expiring? Who is expected to renew?

Cedric and Mohamed Elneny have already said their farewells. Arsenal are still making efforts to persuade Karl Hein to sign a new contract, in order to alleviate some of their goalkeeping concerns. They also hold out some hope that talented youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry can be persuaded to commit to a new deal at the last minute.

What might happen first?

In theory, Arsenal’s first signing ought to be Raya. Having paid £3m to take him on loan from Brentford, the terms of his £27m permanent deal are already agreed. It’s simply a matter of time.

What is their PSR position?

Despite some lavish spending in recent years, Arsenal still have headroom when it comes to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. They also expect to sell a number of academy products this summer, which will be counted as 100 per cent profit in PSR terms.

What sort of budget do they have?

The 2023-24 season was another lucrative one for Arsenal — their return to the Champions League meant they received more than €90m in revenue from that competition alone. The owners are expected to make significant funds available to strengthen the squad.

(Top photo: Getty Images)