Arsenal face added Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres transfer chaos amid Thomas Partey decision

Arsenal have plenty of work to do during the summer transfer window and sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the charge to try and deliver Mikel Arteta the reinforcements he wants. The Spaniard said he would be insisting on the moves that were needed at the end of the last season and it appears he has indeed done so.

Having been away from the action myself for a couple of weeks on holiday, getting back into the swing of transfers and updates, it makes sense to get a state of play of what the latest is for football.london. From incomings to outgoings, the club is very busy but the mood that is seen among supporters would suggest otherwise.

The club have already completed, awaiting announcement, two deals for key areas of need this summer in the backup goalkeeper role and defensive midfield. football.londonunderstands that Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi will don the Arsenal shirt next season as Arteta brings competition to both areas.

Arteta wants Thomas Partey to stay at the club and work with Zubimendi in the midfield next season, however, talks over a new deal have not yet found a breakthrough. Despite the player’s openness to staying financially there have been differences which are proving difficult to overcome, especially as the Ghanaian has potentially lucrative offers from outside.

Berta is already looking at alternative options to Partey in the transfer market should he leave. As first reported by Mads Glenn Wehlast, the club are keen on Brentford’s 31-year-old Christian Norgaard – certainly replacing the experience lost in Partey were he to leave.

Interest in Norgaard dates back at least two years, football.london understands. Talks are ongoing between the two sides to find a solution but there is interest from other clubs such as north London rivals Tottenham.

There have been reports suggesting talks for Jorrel Hato of Ajax. While football.london understands the club have been long-term admirers of Hato, in defence, there is a greater need for reinforcement on the right.

Arteta already has Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is expected to renew his contract, in addition to Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Magalhaes – making a move for Hato somewhat questionable despite his obvious talent. Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to return at the end of the year from his latest surgery, while Oleksandr Zinchenko could leave with interest from Fulham, who are also keen on Reiss Nelson following his loan spell.

In the forward line, Rodrygo is a known target of the club, but a move for the Brazilian is complicated. While his absence from the pitch in the Club World Cup for Real Madrid sparked a reaction online, being in this new tournament, it is difficult to extrapolate too much until perhaps the more challenging matches come for Los Blancos.

It is true that Xabi Alonso rates Arda Guler highly and has added a forward in Franco Mastantuono, whom he convinced to snub PSG to join Madrid, but Rodrygo is for now in his plans. That said, if minutes do prove tougher to gain for the 24-year-old, that could change things.

Therefore, if Arsenal are to sign the £70million-plus rated forward, it is likely to be a move that would happen later on in the window, and the club are understood to be willing to be patient for players of such calibre and opportunity in the window. However, when it comes to a centre-forward, while the club are being diligent financially in negotiations, football.london is aware the club would like this saga to close before their pre-season trip to Asia.

Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres remain the two names in the frame. Sesko is believed to be the club’s preference, but appears more financially commanding to secure as RB Leipzig look to maximise any potential sale.

There had been hope Gyokeres would be allowed to leave for €60million plus €10million (£51.1million plus £8.52million) in add-ons but the Portuguese side appear reluctant to do business at this price bracket. Both deals remain open for Arsenal but the club want to get the best possible deal.

They are in a stronger position than were they to be chasing just the one forward. Berta’s holistic approach to transfer discussions has strengthened the club’s standing in negotiations for players as they chase multiple deals across the market to reinforce the squad.

However, it might not sate the desire of supporters for all the deals to be done inside the window’s first month. The club remain confident the squad will be far stronger come the window’s conclusion.