Arsenal have been making a pre-season move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer, but their pursuit of a new No. 9 striker is likely to be a tougher one to achieve.
Arsenal expect to have a clear shot at Martin Zubimendi - but have faced more competition on their search for strikers.
Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, with the Spain international having a £51m buy-out clause in his contract. It was well past the time Arsenal had announced the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta, though, that the Gunners had not already rushed into sorting out a deal for Zubimendi, who is extremely much liked by Mikel Arteta.
Only the groundwork is being laid for the midfielder – and Real Madrid do not think they will push ahead with concrete interest in case they can take advantage of any deal to do so – although Arsenal’s plans for a new forward are not yet much in the ground with Berta keen on Sporting Lisbon winger Viktor Gyokeres.
It's fair to say Arteta has long been a fan of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak - and the Gunners have in fact taken interest in and courted RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko for a good year or so.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim knows Gyokeres from his time at Lisbon and there'll be no shortage of interest in him.
Chelsea are monitoring Ipswich's Liam Delap, but do have an interest in Sesko who has the youth appeal but all the attributes - pace and physicality - which put him on Arsenal's radar in the first place.
That identity has worked well for Arsenal to date, with the likes of Jurrien Timber (a huge success before Edu left the club earlier this season) showing it.
A bit like Sesko was going to be the amazing choice but now who they'll pick to take over as No1 is going to be an interesting sign on transfers too.
Arsenal also want a left winger with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Espanyol's Joan Garcia both keen on a new No2 in what looks to be an enthralling summer.
But frankly it would not be possible for them to do all that business for no outgoings, and there has been interest in Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martnelli.
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