Arsenal striker targets – who could the Gunners sign? | OneFootball

Arsenal are set to enter the market for a centre-forward in the summer. Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment at the failure to sign a striker last month, with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz leaving his side light.

Arsenal are the third-highest scorers in the Premier League this season but have become reliant on set pieces. The Gunners rank only 11th for shots per game and fifth for open-play goals. Of the current top seven, the North Londoners are the only team without a player in double figures for Premier League goals.

Off the pace in the title race and out of both domestic cups, Arsenal need a difference-maker.

We’ve profiled the centre-forwards Arsenal should looking at this summer, with their stats across all competitions this season.

Arsenal striker targets – who could the Gunners sign?

Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko is rumoured to be top of the wish list for Arsenal. The Gunners failed with a big to sign Sesko last summer, who turned down interest from England to sign a new deal with Leipzig.

The 21-year-old has continued his development this season with 15 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions. At 6ft 5in, Sesko would add another option to Arsenal’s set-piece threat, though his pace and mobility make the Slovenian far more than a static penalty-box presence.

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Sesko has a “gentleman’s agreement” in his RB Leipzig deal. The Bundesliga side will listen to offers in the region of €70-75 million (£57m-£62m).

Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli)

Victor Osimhen failed to secure a permanent transfer from Napoli last summer before signing for Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal. It was a shock transfer and Osimhen has continued to score regularly in Turkey.

It follows a prolific period in Naples, where Osimhen was the league’s leading scorer as Napoli won a drought-breaking title in 2022/23. He has the pace and physicality to thrive in the Premier League and is available for a €75m (£62m) release clause in the summer.

Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting Lisbon

Viktor Gyokeres has made Europe sit up and take notice since signing for Sporting Lisbon. After arriving from Championship side Coventry City, he’s emerged as one of the most coveted forwards on the continent in the last 18 months. The Swedish striker has struck 77 goals in 86 games for the Portuguese champions.

Named the Primeira Liga’s top scorer and Player of the Year in 2023/24, he’s picked up where he left off. The 26-year-old is an elite threat in transition with his powerful ball-carrying and ready for the step up to a top European league. Gyokeres has a release clause of €100m (£82.8m) in his contract but there’s an acceptance that Sporting will sell for less this summer.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

Arsenal failed with an offer to sign Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window, as Aston Villa shut the door on talks for the England international.

A £60m offer was not enough to convince Villa to sell the 29-year-old, who has scored 82 goals in 203 games since moving to the Midlands.

An all-round centre-forward package, Watkins led the Premier League for assists last season to help Aston Villa to Champions League qualification. Though the oldest player on this list, Watkins could be a safer option given his proven pedigree in the division. Interest could be renewed in the boyhood Arsenal fan, if Villa fail to finish in the top four.

Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus

Arsenal hold a long-standing interest in Dusan Vlahovic after being beaten to the forward’s signature by Juventus in January 2022. Vlahovic has scored 54 goals in 132 games in Turin but has failed to convince all at Juventus.

The Serbian striker has lost his place in the team in recent weeks, following the loan arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

With his contract set to reach its final 12 months in the summer, Juventus are reportedly prepared to cash in on the 25-year-old for a fee in the region of €40m (£33m). Given Arsenal were prepared to pay double that fee just three years ago, it’s an attractive option for the Gunners.

Alexander Isak – Newcastle

Alexander Isak is perhaps the dream target for Arsenal, a player who on more than one occasion has earned comparisons to a certain Thierry Henry. Isak has scored 54 goals in 95 games for Newcastle and last season became the first Magpies player to reach 20+ in a top-flight league season since Alan Shearer. The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the most complete number nines in Europe – and Newcastle have no intention to sell.

It would take a mammoth offer and Newcastle to miss out on Champions League football for negotiations to even be entertained. Arsenal, meanwhile, are unlikely to be the only suitors, with Liverpool linked of late.

Liam Delap – Ipswich Town

Liam Delap has been a bright spark in a tough return to the Premier League for Ipswich. Signed from Manchester City last summer, the England Under-21 international has scored 10 league goals in a team battling to beat the drop. It’s a fine return given this is Delap’s first full season at this level, though it’s the raw ingredients of his game that most appeal.

A powerful ball-carrier, he has bulldozed a route through some top defences this season. Thomas Tuchel will be keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old ahead of naming his first England squad next month.

Jonathan David – Lille

Clubs across Europe are weighing up offers for Jonathan David, who will become one of football’s most sought-after free agents in the summer. Out of contract at Lille, there will be a significant queue of clubs in the race.

David has broken Canada’s goalscoring record (31) and racked up 141 goals in European football by the age of 25. He’s hit 20+ goals in each of the last three campaigns at Lille, including six in eight Champions League games in 2024/25. The Premier League would represent a step up for David but he has the attributes to flourish in England. Whether as a first-choice forward or an attractive option to boost Arsenal’s depth, he should be on the radar of the North Londoners.

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