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Benjamin Sesko reality, £60m alternative, Liverpool worry: Arsenal first summer transfer decided
Football | June 10, 2025 12:39 AM CST

Arsenal are one of just seven clubs yet to announce their first signing since the market opened on June 1.

The other six are , , , , and . However, football.london understands the Gunners are to sign from . A deal to sign is also , with only a medical to complete.

Arsenal are also for . But who should their first signing be? Our football.london writers have had their say:

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Matthew Abbott

Kepa is the deal that seems likeliest to be done first due to the £5million release clause understood to be in his Chelsea contract. A move for Zubimendi is also all but finalised, although it will seemingly not become official until next month rather than this.

Sesko, though, has to be the priority for Arsenal after deciding to pursue the RB Leipzig striker over . Announcing the Slovenia international as their first summer signing would send a real statement of intent to their Premier League rivals and emphatically end the calls for them to sign a striker once and for all.

James Quinlan

Before Arsenal get anyone else through the door this summer, it has to be a new striker. They will not win the Premier League without one.

I am under the impression that they need someone who can provide goals here and now, so in my mind that would have been Gyokeres, but if the club's decision is Sesko then it has to be trusted and certainly looks to be the better long-term investment as he is still 21 and scoring some brilliant goals.

Then they can look forward to getting Bukayo Saka and William Saliba on new contracts, the next task.

Amie Wilson

I don’t think there is really any doubt or debate over the priority for Arsenal in this transfer window, is there? A new striker has to be the number one thing for the club to do over the next few weeks.

It feels like bringing in an out-and-out goalscorer will take the Gunners to the next level and help challenge Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Being unable to bring in a forward in January ultimately cost the team in both the league and the Champions League in the second half of the season.

I agree with the others that Viktor Gyokeres looks to be the best of the options. His goalscoring record in Portugal is phenomenal, and he caused Man City all sorts of problems when he played them in the Champions League last season.

A fee of around £60million seems like a good deal for the striker, and it’s one I’d pursue if I were Arsenal.

Jack Flintham

A striker will be the difference next season for the Gunners, undoubtedly. However, the pressure that is currently surrounding the move to Martin Zubimendi's switch to the Emirates Stadium makes that deal the priority.

Real Madrid are thought to be sniffing around the Spaniard in a bid to bring him to the Bernabeu. If that were to happen, it would be a hammer blow for Arsenal and could threaten to derail the rest of their summer.

Considering how quickly the move to Liverpool fell through last summer, I am sure Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are conscious of that and are keen to get Zubimendi signed up as soon as possible.

Tom Coley

Well, the obvious answer here is to say that it will be a striker. The question is which one? The direction of travel is leaning towards Sesko, and that is understandable. There are red flags for both he and Gyokeres, but I wouldn't be committing big money to a 27-year-old without a big season in a top league.

This promises to drag on either way. So Kepa at £5million comes into focus. This is a simple deal to be done for all parties. Maybe he will be the surprise first transfer completed.

Chelsea want it, Kepa is keen, and Arsenal save money. There is no reason this shouldn't dance quickly. That then leaves Martin Zubimendi to be announced.

Throwing in a wildcard, maybe Arsenal can cause a stir with a bid for Rafael Leao. He would certainly be electric to watch on the left.

Kieran King

After Kepa Arrizabalaga comes through the door in a £5million deal from Chelsea, Arsenal need to turn their attention to recruiting a new No.9. That is a must for the summer transfer window, as I can't see the Gunners winning the Premier League without one.

The question then becomes: Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko? I have debated between the two for the last 12 months, but I am going for Gyokeres. I think the Sweden international would be better suited to the Premier League, having already had a taste of English football.

Gyokeres' goal record is also impeccable, even in the Champions League. He demonstrated that he can perform against a Premier League side when he put three past Manchester City last November, and I do think that is a sign that he can shine against the best in England.


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