Arsenal 'add shock name' to striker shortlist after Benjamin Sesko transfer saga takes fresh twist

A fresh name has emerged in Arsenal's pursuit for a striker this summer amid their courting of Benjamin Sesko.

The Gunners have finished as runners-up in the past three Premier League seasons, twice behind Manchester City and most recently ending up second to Liverpool in Arne Slot's first campaign in charge at Anfield.

It is widely acknowledged that Mikel Arteta's side require a striker in a bid to take the next step and become Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.

Last season, this need was compounded by injury issues with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka among those on the treatment table at certain points of the campaign.

The Gunners failed to add reinforcements in the January transfer window.

The North London outfit failed with an approach for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Arteta himself admitted the Gunners were 'disappointed' they were unable to bolster their striking ranks in January.

Arsenal are said to have closed in on a £51m move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, which is yet to be officially announced by the club.

The Gunners have also agreed a deal with Brentford for midfielder Christian Norgaard and Chelsea for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But a centre forward is high on the shopping list and the among the players the Gunners have been linked with include Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Sesko of RB Leipzig.

Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. (Image: Getty)

Arsenal might have been handed a boost in their pursuit for Sesko as it has been reported that RB Leipzig have privately chosen to drop their asking price for him.

The German side were said to be previously seeking a transfer fee of between £68m and £85m for Sesko, a range which Arsenal were unwilling to pay.

Now, German publication Bild reports that RB Leipzig will now be willing to accept just under £60m for Sesko.

And another forward has reportedly now been added to Arsenal's centre forward shortlist is a shock name in the form of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, according to The Transfers Podcast.

The Gunners are said to be monitoring Jackson, after Chelsea have brought in Liam Delap in the centre forward department from relegated Ipswich Town and are also looking at Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Players moving between Chelsea and Arsenal has been common in recent years with the likes of Havertz, Olivier Giroud, Jorginho and David Luiz making the swap, as well as Ashley Cole and William Gallas in the mid-2000s.