Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano explains risky Arsenal transfer decision from this summer

September 5, 2024Ligue 1

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has explained why Arsenal decided not to sign a new striker this summer after missing out on Benjamin Sesko.

Sesko was notably a target for the Gunners and other top clubs early on in the summer, but he ended up committing his future to RB Leipzig instead, signing a new contract with the Bundesliga giants.

One imagines Sesko will be one to watch again next summer, with Arsenal and others perhaps likely to look at the Slovenia international again, while Chelsea have also been named as suitors who are expected to scout him this season, as per Simon Phillips on Substack.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside via the Daily Briefing, Romano made it clear that Arsenal don’t make signings for the sake of it, which is why they didn’t rush into buying a different striker once it became clear they wouldn’t be able to get Sesko.

Benjamin Sesko could have been a fine signing for Arsenal

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“I think Arsenal had a very good window. Signing David Raya on a permanent deal, Raheem Sterling was a good last minute opportunity, Riccardo Calafiori a fantastic signing. Mikel Merino also a very good addition, strongly wanted by Arteta,” Romano said.

“Arsenal don’t sign players for the sake of it and this is why they didn’t sign a striker after missing out on Benjamin Sesko, who decided early on in the summer to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig.”