Arsenal in talks to sign “the new Erling Haaland”

In the Premier League, Arsenal have been left to bemoan their lack of a fit centre-forward.

Truth be told, even before Kai Havertz sustained a season-ending hamstring injury, they needed more cover in an attacking area.

Just weeks before, Gabriel Jesus was dealt a cruel blow of his own, picking up an ACL injury that means we are unlikely to see him play again in 2025.

That didn’t spur the recruitment team at the Emirates Stadium into life and they have been made to pay the price since.

Still, Mikel Merino has been in fine form since becoming the club’s leading number 9, scoring six goals in his ten outings as a striker. Not bad numbers indeed.

However, the Spaniard, despite his incredible finish against Real Madrid, is not the long-term answer.

Arsenal’s hopes of signing a new striker

Andrea Berta has now been in the job a few weeks and his main objective over the summer transfer window must be to strengthen the club’s offence.

It promises to be an exciting summer at Colney with the Gunners not only needing a new forward but also a winger, a back-up goalkeeper and potentially even a midfielder. Martin Zubimendi is reportedly edging close

towards a deal.

So, who will the shiny new striker be? That’s the question on everyone’s lips down at N5.

David Ornstein confirmed a few weeks ago that Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres is one of their leading targets but work is also being done on Benjamin Sesko.

A flurry of reports linked the Slovenian with a move last summer but he ended up penning new terms with German club RB Leipzig.

A year on and his departure from the Bundesliga looks far more likely. Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, Arsenal continue to keep a ‘close on’ on the 21-year-old with new steps now taken in a bid to secure his signature.

The report notes that the London club have had ‘direct contact’ with the player’s camp to discuss a move and the feeling after that meeting has been a positive one.

Sesko’s contract – which expires in 2029 – currently contains a release clause valued at around €70m (£60m).

How Sesko compares to Haaland and Isak

A few years ago, Arsenal were monitoring the progress of Alexander Isak. The Swede was at Real Sociedad at the time and wasn’t yet a truly rampant goalscorer.

The year was 2022 and Isak’s contract in Spain also contained a release clause, one that was slightly more than Sesko’s at about £75m.

Sadly, the Gunners deemed that too expensive and since then, he signed for Newcastle for £63m and become one of the Premier League’s leading lights, scoring 20 goals this term, third to only Erling Haaland and Mo Salah in the top-flight.

So, Arsenal must learn their lesson. Miss out on Sesko now and you could be looking at a price tag of over £100m in a few years’ time.

The Slovenia international may not be the finished article just yet, but he possesses a unique profile and Berta must buy now, with Arteta undoubtedly having the ability to turn him into a top-class talent, just like Isak.

Indeed, if Arteta can get a tune out of Merino in the club’s forward line, a midfielder by trade, just think what he could do with an actual striker.

Described as “the new Erling Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, Sesko has found the net 19 times in 40 matches this term and seems to be getting better season by season, still aged 21.

Like Haaland, he’s a tall centre-forward. The Norwegian stands at 6 foot 4 while the Arsenal target is a fraction taller at 6 foot 5.

What that allows the pair of them to do is a number of things. Not only are they physical but their lengthy running stride and pace makes them a total nightmare for a defensive line.

Sesko would not get as much time and space in the Premier League, something Haaland is now all too familiar with, but their games marry up nicely when assessing their ball striking as well.

Just look at the thunderbolt below from Leipzig’s star man. It’s a thing of beauty and something that, let’s be honest, no Arsenal player in the current squad is capable of.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Sesko is actually right-footed, but that’s not a bad thing, particularly when you consider Havertz is left-footed, meaning Berta would be adding more variety to the attack.

While someone like Gyokeres – who has scored 44 goals this season – and Isak, a proven Premier League striker, would be amazing signings, perhaps the best thing to do is go out and get Sesko, an unpolished diamond but someone who possesses elite potential.