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Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are considered to be the lead candidates in Arsenal's significant striker search this summer.
The Gunners aim to sign their missing piece after an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign which promised so much in pre-season but will ultimately end without silverware. A make-or-break season is on the horizon for Mikel Arteta, and many believe the acquisition of a clinical forward will alleviate the bulk of Arsenal's woes, perhaps thrusting them to the promised land.
The club opted against moving for a striker last summer, ensuring Kai Havertz was run into the ground after Gabriel Jesus tore his ACL in January. Havertz's hamstring tear in February has seen Mikel Merino operate as a makeshift number nine, and the summer arrival performed admirably in an unfamiliar role.
Merino's success should provide confidence that no matter who Arsenal sign to lead their line this summer, they'll be given the best possible chance to thrive in north London.
Benjamin Sesko & Viktor Gyokeres the two lead candidates in Arsenal's striker search
According to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Arsenal are honing in on Leipzig's Sesko and Sporting CP's Gyokeres ahead of the start of the summer transfer window.
Sesko has previously been of interest, with the club attempting to sign the 21-year-old Slovenian last summer and during the January window, while new sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be bullish on Gyokeres, who's scored at a freakish rate in the Portuguese capital.
Both players are within Arsenal's budget, although Sesko's seemingly ever-increasing release clause means the Gunners may have to pay as much as £75m for him. Gyokeres, meanwhile, has a gentleman's agreement in place to move on this summer, and reports suggest he'll be available for somewhere between £60m-£70m.
With Arsenal splashing more than £50m on Martin Zubimendi and funds required to sign a winger, another midfielder, and a back-up goalkeeper, a move for Alexander Isak is deemed to be almost impossible. Arteta is a big fan and there's belief Isak would be open to joining the club, but Newcastle have the right to demand an obscene fee, especially if the Magpies secure Champions League qualification.
Hugo Ekitike and Ollie Watkins are also on the club's radar, but Sesko and Gyokeres are the front-runners in their search.
It's a huge decision and one that will doubtless split opinion. Teams Sesko and Gyokeres may start to emerge, but we, in unison, should be excited by the arrival of a proper centre forward this summer, no matter who it is.