Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly prepared to fund a move for a new striker by parting ways with as many as seven players.
Sitting in second position in the Premier League table and having reached the last 16 of the Champions League, the Gunners have enjoyed a respectable campaign thus far.
However, with Gabriel Jesus having been ruled out for the rest of the season courtesy of a serious knee injury, Arteta was left disappointed that an alternative was not signed during the winter transfer window.
Despite that frustration in the short term, Arsenal will be better placed to spend big in the summer when they will hope to strengthen in more than one area of the pitch.
According to The Mirror, Arteta and the club's board are open-minded to the outgoings that they are willing to facilitate ahead of 2025-26.
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Who could leave Arsenal?
The report suggests that as many as seven players could move on from the Emirates Stadium, including Jorginho who is allegedly attracting interest from Flamengo.
Like with the Italy international, Thomas Partey is also out of contract, and their double exit would free up considerable space on the wage bill.
Unless he turns around his form during the final three-and-a-half months of the season, Raheem Sterling will return to parent club Chelsea.
Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko may each be allowed to leave on permanent deals, bringing in much-needed revenue if big money is to be spent on a number nine.
Kieran Tierney is also in line to join Celtic on a free transfer, while a seventh unnamed player may also fall into the same bracket as the aforementioned six, that realistically being goalkeeper Neto returning to Bournemouth after his unproductive loan stint.
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Which strikers could Arsenal target?
Having held an interest in Benjamin Sesko since last summer, it is plausible to expect Arsenal to make a formal approach for the RB Leipzig forward.
His current employers are likely to demand at least £70m for a player who has netted 13 times in the Bundesliga and Champions League during 2024-25.
Newcastle United attacker Alexander Isak would cost considerably more than Sesko having netted 48 times from 74 appearances in the Premier League.
A deal will only become realistic if Newcastle miss out on Champions League qualification.
Darren Plant
