Arsenal are turning heads again, not just for their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, but now for what appears to be a blockbuster move involving a third name. With Kai Havertz on his way to Saudi Arabia after agreeing terms, the Gunners are loading up their war chest to go all-in for a new striker — and this time, the whispers suggest an £88 million fee has already been agreed for a high-profile signing. Arsenal’s summer ambitions are clear: bring in a proven goalscorer who can lead from the front.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, both brought in with high hopes, haven’t quite lived up to expectations in the No. 9 role. Sporting director Andrea Berta, now armed with both funds and a mandate, is prioritizing firepower at the Emirates. Arsenal have been publicly courting both Sesko and Gyokeres, but their interest has swayed between the two over the last couple of weeks like a seesaw. While Sesko comes with a steeper tag of £70 million, sources say he could be the easier get compared to Gyokeres, who’s still high on Manchester United’s radar.
Gyokeres, the Sporting CP goal-machine, was once believed to have a £59 million “gentleman’s agreement” allowing his departure, but Sporting’s brass quickly shut that narrative down. More accurate figures put his release closer to £68 million — not exactly pocket change for a player yet to cut his teeth in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Even with his goal-scoring prowess, that figure’s raising some eyebrows within Arsenal’s boardroom.
Cue Ollie Watkins — the Aston Villa hitman who’s now re-emerged as a real contender. Arsenal previously tried to snap him up in January with a £60 million offer that Villa rebuffed. But now, with time passing and Watkins not quite a guaranteed starter under Unai Emery, his price might be dipping below the £40 million mark — a potential bargain when you stack him against the more continental names being considered.
Portuguese outlet Record has been following Arsenal’s movements and claims Watkins still remains firmly in the Gunners’ sights. In fact, Arsenal have reportedly been keeping in touch with his camp, feeling out the conditions for a summer swoop. The Villans might be willing to listen this time, especially with Watkins facing an unclear future at Villa Park after a season that saw him hit 17 goals — yet spend more time on the bench than he’d like.
Watkins had to drop out of England’s summer squad with a minor knock, but that hasn’t cooled interest. His role at Villa has grown more uncertain, especially since Emery has shown a preference for rotation. And now, with Rashford heading back to Old Trafford, there’s one less name crowding Villa’s frontline. But even that might not be enough to convince Watkins to stay if Arsenal come calling with the promise of a starring role.
Speaking out recently, Watkins didn’t hold back on his frustrations. After being benched during Villa’s Champions League quarterfinal clashes with PSG, he admitted he was furious. “I played 20 minutes in both games,” he revealed. “I’m not gonna lie — I was fuming. I let [Emery] know. I’ve never been one to just be happy riding the bench.” Clearly, he’s itching for a club where he can be the main man, not a backup dancer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s shopping spree may not be done just yet. If recent transfer murmurs are to be believed, they’ve also landed a £49 million Brazilian winger — a player who’s long been on Manchester United’s wishlist. Should all these pieces fall into place, the Gunners’ front line could be reshaped into something truly menacing — a dream XI forged in transfer fire.
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