Arsenal remains highly interested in strengthening their attacking options and is actively pursuing a £55 million-rated striker while maintaining interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
The North London club has been exploring various options to bolster their forward line for some time. Ivan Toney was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last year, as the club considered him a potential solution to their striking needs. However, the current focus has shifted to Alexander Isak, whom manager Mikel Arteta greatly admires.
Despite Isak’s appeal, Arsenal has recently turned their attention to Watkins, submitting a £60 million bid for the Aston Villa striker on Wednesday. Though this offer was rejected, Arsenal remains determined to secure his services and is expected to make another attempt before the transfer window closes.
Nevertheless, Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker is not limited to Watkins. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the club is considering signing two forwards in 2025. He suggests that Arsenal might opt for a more pragmatic signing this January before making a major move in the summer.
This approach mirrors their acquisition of Leandro Trossard, who, despite not being a marquee signing, has proven to be a valuable addition.
While Watkins is seen as a strong short-term option, Arsenal has not abandoned their long-term interest in Benjamin Sesko. Reports from The Mirror indicate that the Slovenian striker remains a priority for Arsenal in the summer transfer window. The club had previously pursued Sesko last year and believed they were close to signing him, but the deal ultimately fell through.
Sesko reportedly turned down Arsenal’s offer last summer due to concerns about playing time, fearing that the presence of Kai Havertz could limit his opportunities in the first team.
If Arsenal were to sign Watkins now, Sesko’s chances of securing a prominent role could be further reduced. Watkins, currently performing at a higher level than Sesko, would likely be Arteta’s preferred option, making it even harder for Sesko to break into the starting lineup.
Arsenal ideally hopes to bring in Watkins before the January window closes while keeping Sesko as a potential summer acquisition. However, there is concern that signing Watkins now could make it more difficult to secure the £55 million-rated striker later in the year.
One thing is certain: Arsenal’s striker situation will be a key storyline in 2025, with significant moves expected to reshape their attacking options.
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