Arsenal ‘near compromise agreement’ for £64m star; deal ‘less than demanded fee’ on one condition

According to reports, Arsenal are edging closer to securing an important summer signing as they are believed to be near a compromise agreement for a striker worth £64 million. This move has been described as one of their biggest priorities in the transfer window. From the moment the window opened, Mikel Arteta and the club hierarchy have focused on finding a centre-forward who can deliver the goals they felt were missing last season. The club is determined to strengthen its attack to close the gap to Manchester City and finally win the Premier League title.

Arsenal finished second last season after leading the table for much of the year. But a lack of consistent scoring from their strikers was one reason they fell short. Despite the talent of Gabriel Jesus, he struggled with injuries and did not deliver the number of goals expected of a title-winning number nine. Eddie Nketiah was solid but not at the elite level Arsenal want. As a result, fans, pundits, and the club itself have agreed that signing a top striker is non-negotiable this summer.

Arsenal’s recruitment team has been working intensely to identify, assess, and approach the right targets. Two main names have consistently appeared at the top of their shortlist: Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. Both players have profiles that fit Arsenal’s needs: physical presence, goalscoring record, and the ability to link play and press from the front.

Negotiations for Gyokeres have been described as complex. Sporting have been demanding that any buyer pay the full release clause, reportedly around €100 million, which Arsenal consider excessive. However, the player himself is believed to be open to the move. Arsenal’s strategy has involved convincing Gyokeres to signal clearly to Sporting that he wants the transfer, in the hope this pressure will help reduce the price. Sporting, meanwhile, know they have leverage: other clubs, including Chelsea and PSG, have shown interest, and Sporting believe they can hold firm on price.

Arsenal’s negotiators have been trying to find a compromise in the region of £64 million. The club believes this figure is a more realistic valuation, given the state of the market and Gyokeres’ proven but still limited Champions League experience. Sporting want cash up front but Arsenal have been exploring creative structures such as instalments, add-ons, and even sell-on clauses to sweeten the deal while keeping the headline figure down.

At the same time, Arsenal have not put all their eggs in the Gyokeres basket. The club has pursued discussions around Benjamin Sesko, the highly rated young Slovenian striker. Sesko’s contract with Leipzig contains a release clause, reportedly around €65 million, but his representatives have signalled that the player is in no rush to leave. Leipzig themselves would prefer to keep him for another year. Reports suggest Sesko’s camp may be willing to wait until next summer, when the release clause drops and more elite clubs could be in the market.

Arsenal, however, are determined to try to persuade Sesko to move now. They have presented him with a clear development plan, promising first-team opportunities in the Premier League, the chance to be the focal point of Arteta’s attack, and the possibility to grow into a global star. Arteta has personally been involved in these conversations, explaining how Sesko’s movement, pressing, and finishing would fit perfectly into Arsenal’s system. The club has been working to convince Sesko’s agents that now is the right moment for the jump.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been working on other deals. They are on the brink of announcing three signings that will add depth and quality across the squad. Martin Zubimendi, the defensive midfielder from Real Sociedad, is expected to join. He is viewed as a long-term solution to the holding midfield role, offering intelligence, composure on the ball, and strong defensive awareness. With Thomas Partey’s injuries and the possibility of his departure, Zubimendi’s signing is seen as crucial for maintaining midfield balance.

Arsenal are also close to securing Kepa Arrizabalaga as an experienced goalkeeper option. He spent last season on loan at Real Madrid from Chelsea. While Ramsdale remains the club’s number one, there is recognition that competition is healthy, and Kepa brings experience at the highest level, including the Champions League. Arsenal want to ensure they have two goalkeepers capable of starting big games if required.

Christian Norgaard is the third deal reportedly close to completion. The Brentford midfielder brings Premier League experience and versatility. Though primarily a defensive midfielder, he can cover at centre-back if necessary, giving Arteta tactical flexibility. His leadership qualities and reading of the game have also impressed Arsenal’s recruitment team.

But despite these incoming signings, the club’s summer budget is heavily geared towards acquiring a new striker. The reasoning is clear: the Premier League is increasingly competitive, with clubs spending big to strengthen. Manchester City have Erling Haaland. Liverpool have invested in Darwin Núñez. Chelsea are in the market for a striker too. Arsenal’s leadership knows that without a reliable source of goals, they cannot realistically aim to dethrone City or compete in the Champions League.

Arsenal’s recruitment process for the striker role has been methodical. They have built a long list of nine priority targets across different leagues. Scouts have been dispatched across Europe and South America. Video analysts have broken down hours of footage, studying movement, finishing, link-up play, pressing intensity, and injury history. The club’s analytics department has built data models predicting how each target would fit into Arsenal’s system and the Premier League more generally.

Beyond the stats, Arsenal have also assessed personality and mentality. Arteta has insisted that any new signing must have the right attitude, work ethic, and resilience to thrive at the Emirates. The club has spoken to former coaches, teammates, and even conducted informal background checks to ensure they are not buying a player who would struggle with the pressure.

All of this is designed to avoid the mistakes of the past. Arsenal fans remember the failed pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic, who rejected them for Juventus. They remember the disappointment of losing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea at the last minute. This time, the club is determined to move decisively, quietly, and effectively. Personal terms with priority targets have been discussed early to avoid late surprises. The recruitment team has been clear with agents about Arsenal’s plans, budgets, and expectations.

But despite all this preparation, the reality of the transfer market is that these deals remain complicated. Selling clubs know that Arsenal have money to spend and can afford a marquee striker. Sporting Lisbon are playing hardball over Gyokeres’ release clause. Leipzig know Sesko will attract even more suitors next year. Agents use the threat of rival interest to raise fees and commissions.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are managing their own budget carefully. Last summer, they spent heavily on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber. They want to avoid breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, which have become stricter. The club is also looking at sales to raise funds. Players such as Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and even Thomas Partey have attracted interest. Arsenal want fair prices and will not be rushed into selling below value, but they know that outgoing deals will help balance the books and fund the marquee striker signing.

Behind the scenes, Arteta has been central to the recruitment effort. He has made personal calls to targets, explaining how he wants to use them, describing training routines, and promising improvement under his coaching. Players have been shown video analysis of how they would fit into Arsenal’s pressing system and build-up play. Some have been given a detailed plan for how they can become global stars in London. Arteta’s charisma and clarity have been cited as major reasons players are willing to consider Arsenal over rival offers.

Arsenal’s recruitment team has also used its network of former players to help sell the club’s vision. Thierry Henry has spoken positively about Arsenal in the media and privately to targets. Jack Wilshere, now a youth coach, has shared insights about life at the club. Patrick Vieira remains an influential figure in conversations about Arsenal’s identity. The message is clear: Arsenal is a club with history, style, and serious ambition to win trophies again.

As fans wait impatiently for news, social media has become a battleground of speculation. Every tweet from Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein is dissected for hints about who is arriving next. Fans fear that Arsenal will be slow, as they were in previous windows, and miss out on key targets to richer or more aggressive rivals. The club is acutely aware of these concerns and is trying to reassure fans that work is being done quietly but effectively.

Sources close to the negotiations suggest Arsenal want the bulk of their business done before the squad leaves for the pre-season tour. Arteta wants all new players integrated quickly so they can understand the tactical system and develop relationships with teammates. Last season showed how vital a good pre-season is for building momentum and rhythm.

But despite these ambitions, the club knows the striker deal may be the hardest to conclude quickly. Strikers are expensive and in high demand. Selling clubs hold out for top prices. Agents see big commissions. Rival clubs can swoop in at any moment. That is why Arsenal are preparing backup plans. They have scouted players in Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and South America who would be cheaper or available on loan. These are not the first-choice options, but Arsenal want to avoid a situation where they have no new striker at all if their top targets prove impossible.

Arsenal’s analysis has also considered squad balance. Adding a £64 million striker will shift expectations and playing time for existing players. Gabriel Jesus is likely to face competition for the central role. Arteta has talked about using Jesus wide or even as a false nine if required. Eddie Nketiah’s future is unclear; the club is open to selling if the right offer arrives. Folarin Balogun has already left, making it even more vital that Arsenal do not go into the season short up front.

Meanwhile, the club’s budget is carefully planned. The signings of Zubimendi, Kepa, and Norgaard are important but not so expensive as to block the marquee striker deal. Arsenal’s leadership has given Arteta and sporting director Edu permission to spend big on the right striker, but they want value. They do not want to be drawn into bidding wars that explode beyond the realistic worth of the player.

This is why negotiations have been slow and tense. Arsenal are confident they can get Gyokeres or Sesko, but only if they can convince the player and selling club that a deal at £64 million or so is fair. They believe the players themselves want the move. Gyokeres wants Premier League football and the chance to be a title-challenging striker. Sesko knows Arsenal would make him the focal point of their attack, offering Champions League football and a big stage.

In the end, the success of Arsenal’s summer may depend on these negotiations. The club can add depth with Zubimendi, Kepa, and Norgaard. They can improve the squad with tactical flexibility and experience. But without a new elite striker, they risk falling short of their title ambitions once again.

Arsenal’s leadership knows this. That is why they are working day and night, holding meetings with agents and clubs, analysing scouting reports, checking medical histories, and modelling tactical plans. Every detail is under review. They want this summer to be a statement of intent—not just to fans, but to rivals, that Arsenal are back among the elite and ready to compete for the Premier League and Champions League. For now, fans must wait as the negotiations continue. The hope is that soon, very soon, Arsenal will be able to unveil a £64 million striker as the centrepiece of a summer of smart, strategic, and ambitious recruitment that finally ends their long wait for glory.