Arsenal news: Benjamin Sesko talks held as Gunners lead Man Utd in defender race

Arsenal continue their pursuit of a new striker as they begin negotiations for Benjamin Sesko whilst their Premier League rivals are battling them for some of their other targets

Arsenal are set for a massive summer if they want to take the final step and become Premier League champions following a third straight second place finish. Mikel Arteta was left to rue Liverpool's title charge, but the issues within the team are obvious.

The Gunners' priority will be on adding a No 9, which they've been unable to land in recent summers. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have emerged as their two leading targets, but neither will come cheap.

Sesko's club RB Leipzig have shown themselves willing to sell their top stars, as have Gyokeres' employers Sporting Lisbon. Although their club chief has underlined their desire to retain the Swede after winning the Portuguese title.

Arsenal are thought to be closing in on the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who will join from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi is set to cost just over £50million with more business expected at the Emirates. Here's the latest rumours from the north London.

Sesko talks held

Arsenal have opened talks with Leipzig over a deal to sign Sesko. The Daily Mail understands that Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the German club's chief Marcel Schafer.

It has emerged that the Bundesliga side want an initial £75m fee for the 22-year-old, who scored 13 times last term, and is tipped as a star of the future. He is one of several striker's being considered by the club, who accept that this summer has to be the window when they land a prolific frontman.

Kai Havertz was Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League with just nine strikes. Only two teams - including relegated Southampton - had a top scorer who netted fewer times.

Arteta leading race for Italian teen

Arsenal are thought to be in pole position to beat Manchester United as they both look to land Giovanni Leoni. The defender has been making quite an impression due to his performances for Parma in Serie A.

Leoni appears to have a number of admirers in the Premier League with the Gunners and the Red Devils among them. FootballTransfers now report that those from north London have moved ahead of their rivals in the race for the Italian Under-19 international after talks were held.

The biggest potential hurdle for Arsenal is that a number of top Italian clubs also want Leoni this summer, which could prove a problem for Arteta and co if they teenager wants to remain in his homeland.

Tottenham rival Gunners in Sane talks

Arsenal and Tottenham are both in talks over a potential deal for Leroy Sane. The ex-Man City winger is out of contract at Bayern Munich later this month and has yet to agree an extension despite the Bundesliga champions wanting to seal a new agreement until 2028.

Sane is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League and Bild claims that his agent Pini Zahavi has been in discussions with both Arsenal and Tottenham. The German has delivered inconsistently throughout his time at the Allianz Arena, but was a big hit in England.