Arsenal now leading Spurs in race to sign "extraordinary" £58m striker

Arsenal are now leading Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign an “extraordinary” striker, who has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top target ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Arteta’s striker search

Arteta was known to be keen on signing a striker in January, with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Dušan Vlahović among the players linked with moves to north London, but it ultimately wasn’t possible to get a new forward through the door.

Since then, the Gunners’ title hopes have been seriously dented, with Kai Havertz being ruled out for the season, and they have now started to work on bringing in a new striker in the summer.

Plans have been put in place to hold talks with Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, who reportedly incoming sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be a big fan of, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also known to be a target, with a number of Premier League clubs keen on the Nigerian.

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Another striker who has attracted widespread interest is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, with it recently being revealed that Arsenal are set to battle Tottenham for the forward’s signature.

However, according to a report from Football Insider, the Gunners have the edge over Spurs in the race to sign Sesko, as they have now moved ahead of their rivals in the race for his signature.

The north Londoners are said to be among the favourites to sign the Slovenian, who has now emerged as their top target for the summer transfer window.

Although the Leipzig star is contracted until 2029, there is a £58m release clause in his contract, which makes a summer move more likely – and he would prefer a move to Arsenal over Spurs.

The 21-year-old has scored 17 goals for Leipzig in all competitions this term, including four in the Champions League prior to his side’s exit from the competition, but he is far more than just a goalscorer.

Tony Cascarino has also praised the former RB Salzburg man for his dribbling ability, saying: “He will run at people and he will literally go around them.

“That’s the extraordinary thing he has got, I have not seen a 6 foot 5 player play like him. I have seen him in wide positions. He is not as traditional as a No 9, but he can certainly go into a deep area and pick up the ball and he will go past people.”

As such, it is exciting news that Arsenal are seemingly in a strong position to win the race for Sesko, and a release clause of just £58m seems very reasonable, given that he is young enough to lead the line for the Gunners for the next decade.