Arsenal have reportedly identified an Eredivisie striker as a potential alternative to RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko.
The Gunners are set to have another busy summer ahead of them under manager Mikel Arteta, who is believed to be prioritising the addition of a new centre-forward.
It has previously been reported on multiple occasions that Arsenal are one of a number of top European clubs battling for the signature of highly-rated 21-year-old striker Sesko, who scored 14 goals for Leipzig last season.
However, it is now understood that Sesko has made the decision to snub interest from the Premier League and elsewhere and sign a contract extension at Leipzig, who are expected to make an announcement of the striker’s renewal this week.
Although the news comes as a blow to Arsenal, there are a hosts of other prolific strikers still on the market, potentially cheaper alternatives, who they may now wish to shift their focus towards.
Arsenal scouting Santiago Gimenez among other targets
Bologna talisman Joshua Zirkzee is one name said to be on Arsenal’s radar following a superb 2023-24 campaign in Serie A, netting 11 times in 34 league games to fire the Italian side into next season’s Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
According to the Evening Standard, Zirkzee is one several forwards the Gunners have scouted along with Feyenoord‘s Santiago Gimenez.
The 23-year-old joined Feyenoord from Mexican outfit Cruz Azul in July 2022 and has since established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in Dutch football, scoring 49 goals in 86 appearances across all competitions.
Gimenez netting 28 times in 50 matches during his first season at the Dutch club and followed that up with 26 strikes in 41 games in 2023-24, including 23 goals in 30 Eredivisie matches.
Gimenez to leave Feyenoord this summer?
Gimenez is under contract at Feyenoord until June 2027, but it is believed that the striker will leave the club during this summer’s transfer window amid interest from a number of top European teams.
The Mexico international is valued between £30m and £40m by Feyenoord, who are desperate to keep hold of as many of their star players as possible following the departure of head coach Arne Slot to Liverpool.
However, earlier this year, Gimenez hinted at a possible future transfer away from the club, telling Marca: “Starting off my journey in Europe here (at Feyenoord) has been a success. The club has had success as they have gotten the most out of me.
“And I know they want to see me grow so they can sell me at the highest possible price. That is the reality that clubs like (Feyenoord) live off of that. There is the path, and I am very calm in that aspect.”
It has previously been reported that Arsenal are at the front of the queue for the signature of Gimenez, although they could face competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur as well as Manchester United, West Ham United, Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
