Arsenal transfer news column: Alexander Isak the DREAM target, plus TWO potential exits | OneFootball

Benjamin Sesko or Alexander Isak – which striker are Arsenal most likely to sign?

Despite the strength of the links, I wouldn’t say it’s a certainty that Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak are the only two strikers on Arsenal’s list of targets over the next 12 months.

Both are obviously forwards they admire greatly. We’ve known that for some time, but there will be other options out there that they are thinking about. Viktor Gyokeres for example is another player we know has been watched over the past 12 months.

Sesko still feels like the most likely one for me I have to say. His decision to stay at Leipzig in the summer and sign a new deal did not put Arsenal off. In fact it’s a decision we know they understood, whilst obviously being disappointed.

The belief is that there is a gentleman’s agreement between Sesko and Leipzig that he could leave this summer for an amount that would certainly be achievable for Arsenal.

So right now it feels like that will be the route they will try and go down. The big challenge, however, will be convincing Sesko that he will get plenty of game time should he decide to make the move, something they were unable to do last summer.

The interest in Isak has long been spoken about but it just looks like such a difficult deal to be able to do, even at the end of the season.

The Sweden striker will still have three years left on his deal and the price Newcastle will demand for him just feels incredibly difficult for Arsenal to be able to hit. It also looks like Newcastle will be qualifying for Europe, which would make things even more difficult.

So while he might be the dream target for Arteta, it’s tough not to see it as a bit unrealistic. Sesko feels much more gettable, which is why I still believe he is the most likely addition ahead of next season.

Arsenal don’t want to lose Ayden Heaven, but Euro giants have joined Man United in the race for his signature

Mikel Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on the future of Ayden Heaven when he was asked about the young defender last week.

That’s understandable as the Arsenal manager never comments on transfer stories, whether it involves players linked with moves to Arsenal or moves away from them.

But the club are well aware that his representatives are looking at options outside of North London, with Manchester United believed to be in the driving seat, although Eintracht Frankfurt are also known to be very keen on the 18-year-old defender.

Arsenal don’t want to lose Heaven and have offered him his first professional contract, which so far he has yet to sign.

Currently he remains on scholarship terms which will run out at the end of the season, which is why rival clubs are looking to lure him away.

Ayden Heaven in action for Arsenal (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

A final decision has yet to be taken and until it is, Arsenal will hope that he opts to commit to them and signs the deal that is currently on the table.

He is highly rated at the club and impressed during the pre-season tour to America last summer. He regularly trains with the first-team and Arteta handed him his senior debut against Preston in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

So the hope within the club is that he will stay, but right now there is very little more they can do while the player and his representatives weigh up their options.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future remains uncertain ahead of the end of January

I said going into their window that Oleksandr Zinchenko was one player that Arsenal would be open to letting leave this month, providing the deal was a good one and I still believe that to be the case.

We’ve seen links to Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid of late, but so far nothing has materialised in terms of firm offers for the Ukraine international.

Zinchenko is well down the pecking order now at Arsenal, especially with the sudden emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, so the club is well stocked when it comes to left-back options.

That’s why he would be allowed to go, should a suitable offer arrive, especially as he is now into the final 18 months of his contract in North London.

That has yet to happen, however. Whether an offer does come in during the final seven days of the market remains to be seen.