Arsenal transfer news: Negotiations stall as Benjamin Sesko’s agent makes comment

Benjamin Sesko remains top of Arsenal’s transfer agenda as the Gunners look to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s options up front and Nico Williams has moved closer to a move from Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal are set for a busy summer in the transfer market as they look to finally strengthen their forward line. Mikel Arteta has been desperate for a striker to aid his team’s bid to win a trophy.

The north London side have been linked to deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres in the coming weeks, but are also looking to strengthen elsewhere in the squad. Martin Zubimendi is set to arrive in midfield, while there is also a desire to land a winger and defender.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already tied down Gabriel Magalhaes to a new deal. There are ambitions to secure the futures of Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly too.

Meanwhile, Jorginho has already departed the Gunners and Kieran Tierney’s exit has been confirmed. But there is more work to do for Arsenal.

Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours from around the Emirates.

READ MORE: Thomas Partey bids emotional three-word farewell as Arsenal exit confirmedREAD MORE: Carlos Cuesta makes Mikel Arteta feelings clear in parting message before Arsenal exit

Sesko’s agent speaks out

Benjamin Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has denied putting pressure on RB Leipzig to lower their asking price for the striker. Arsenal are understood to have agreed personal terms with Sesko but the Bundesliga side still want a significant fee – thought to be north of £60million.

Basanovic rejected any notion that he would attempt to force Leipzig’s hand. “This is far from truth!” he told Givemesport. “We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100% convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it.”

He added: “Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club.

“I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect. So that’s why we do things in the right way or we don’t do them. It’s very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.”

Williams nears transfer

Spain star Nico Williams has agreed on a six-year contract with Barcelona, according to reports. The Athletic Bilbao winger looks set to depart this summer and has drawn interest from Bayern Munich and Arsenal in addition to the Catalan club.

Barca are said to have offered a salary in the region €7m-8m (£6m-7m) but have not yet agreed a deal with their La Liga rivals. Williams has a release clause in the region of £50m but the Spanish champions have not agreed a financial package with Bilbao.

Partey negotiations

Thomas Partey looks set to leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the month. The midfielder was in negotiations over extending his stay at the club but talks are now at a standstill, per ESPN.

The former Atletico Madrid ace has drawn interest from Turkey and been linked with a move to Barcelona. Partey, 32, has played for Arsenal 167 times since joining the club in October 2020.

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