Arsenal handed Benjamin Sesko transfer boost after £96m Andrea Berta masterclass

Arsenal look to have been handed a Benjamin Sesko transfer boost courtesy of RB Leipzig. The Gunners and Bundesliga club have been involved in negotiations for the Slovenia international over the last few weeks with talks for Viktor Gyokeres also ongoing.

Despite that, Arsenal have seemingly been focused elsewhere with four defensive signings targeted. The first of those to be agreed was a £55million (€65m) deal for Martin Zubimendi to join from Real Sociedad.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta then moved onto replacing Aaron Ramsdale with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to join from Chelsea. Focus did switch back onto the engine room however, with a deal very quickly agreed to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

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Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera then became the target formally pursued with an opening bid rejected that was in the region of £17million (€20m). Discussions have since continued and it is expected an improved offer will arrive.

Once that deal is wrapped up, the efforts of Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta will be on attacking additions. One of Sesko or Gyokeres is expected to come in with the monetary demands of Leipzig and Sporting CP appearing similar.

However, that no longer looks to be the case withGerman outlet Bild claiming that his asking price has been lowered to £59.8million (€70m) as Leipzig want to act in the market. That being the case makes him cheaper than Gyokeres, with Sporting wanting £68million (€80m), and therefore it seems an easy choice for Arsenal.

It is not a straightforward decision in the wide forward department however, with contact made for several wingers which has seen links to Rafael Leao, Ademola Lookman and Rodrygo emerge. Those three players are likely to cost a significant amount and their wage demands will also be quite steep.

Thankfully, the Gunners have already freed up some cash as Kieran Tierney, signed from Celtic for £25million, and Jorginho, purchased from Chelsea in a £12million deal, have already departed as free agents with Thomas Partey looking set to follow. As £45million was spent on the latter, him leaving for free is somewhat of a big blow.

Arsenal have taken in some funds from sales though with only £4million lost on Nuno Tavares after his £6.7million permanent switch to Lazio was confirmed.

Marquinhos has left Emirates Stadium to join Brazilian side Cruzeiro for just £2.5million. The Gunners spent £3million to sign him just a few years ago and thus it is not a massive loss.

Though they are minor transfers, Berta has quietly gone about getting £96million worth of talent off Arsenal's books which allows for new signings to be the focus.