Why Arsenal don’t want Alexander Isak and Ivan Toney anymore and who they want instead

There are a number of directions Arsenal can go in, and the most marquee one, Victor Osimhen, remains a distinct possibility, even as rivals Chelsea are balking at the asking price Napoli have set.

For now, the favorite to join Arsenal as a new out-and-out No. 9 is RB Leipzig’s young star Benjamin Sesko, who is also making the rounds at Chelsea as their striker priority this summer.

Previously, established Premier League forwards Alexander Isak of Newcastle and Ivan Toney of Brentford were, at various points, favorites to join Arsenal.

However, Sky Sports reports that Arsenal are no longer as interested in signing Isak and Toney, because they would prefer to sign a young No. 9 whom they can develop into an even bigger star.

Once again, Sesko fits the bill best here, as he is coming off a tremendous season for Leipzig in the Bundesliga despite splitting minutes with top Ligue 1 signing Lois Openda, who was one of the most prolific strikers in Europe in his own right.

Sesko scored 14 goals despite only starting 17 games, showing a ruthless clinical edge in front of goal that is rare for a 21-year-old striker.

Arsenal could benefit from Toney or Isak, but Newcastle seem to have no intention of selling the Swedish star whereas Arsenal may want a higher-upside option than Toney.

Sesko seems to be the favorite now, but the Gunners will now have to fight even harder to sign him from Leipzig due to Chelsea’s competing interest.

That said, with a release clause hovering around 60 million euros, Sesko should be quite a bit cheaper – and also less injury prone – than Napoli star Victor Osimhen.