Arsenal have Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sekso, Pedro Neto, Alexander Isak, Nico Williams and Martin Zubimendi on their shortlist but face competition from Manchester United and Chelsea for RB Leipzig forward Sesko. Elsewhere, Liverpool’s assistant manager is wanted by Turkish outfit Besiktas, and Brazilian side Sao Paulo are closing in on Rafa Benitez. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is planning to strengthen his forward line next season with a shortlist of names in the frame.
Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sekso, Pedro Neto, Alexander Isak, Nico Williamsand Martin Zubimendi are all suggested by the Mirror. The paper writes: “Mikel Arteta will be given major funds to help bolster his strike force after Arsenal’s Champions League exit.
“Arsenal have been tracking Sporting Lisbon centre forward Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and are long term admirers of Alexander Isak but Newcastle are unlikely to sell. Wolves winger Pedro Neto is top of their list of potential wide players but they have also scouted Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
“Arsenal also want Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as part of their rebuild and a new partner for Declan Rice.”
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all keen on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian forward is attracting interest after he continued to impress for his Bundesliga side.
The Evening Standard reports: “Arsenal are stepping up their plans to sign a forward this summer, with RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko on their radar.
“The Gunners are drawing up transfer plans after their Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
“Arsenal will face competition for the 20-year-old Slovenian, with Chelsea and Manchester United also tracking him.
“Sesko’s representatives have been guests at both Chelsea and Manchester United matches this season.”
Besiktas hope to land Pep Lijnders when he leaves Liverpool along with Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman is looking for a fresh challenge and the Turkish side sacked Fernando Santos already this month.
The Athletic explains: “Besiktas are the latest club to show an interest in Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders.
“The Turkish club are searching for a new head coach after sacking Fernando Santos earlier this month, and they rate the Dutchman highly.
“Lijnders will leave Liverpool after a decade of service next month when the curtain comes down on Jurgen Klopp’s reign. “The 41-year-old, who intends to pursue a managerial career of his own, is continuing to assess his options ahead of embarking on a new challenge this summer.
“He has also been linked with Ajax, who appointed John van ’t Schip as interim coach following the departure of Maurice Steijn earlier this season.”
The Sun reports that former Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is close to joining Sao Paulo as their new manager.
The experienced Spaniard left Celta Vigo a month ago and is already close to a new gig.
The paper states: “Rafa Benitez is the top candidate to take over as manager at Sao Paulo.
“Former Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton boss Benitez, 64, has been out of a job for a month after being sacked by Celta Vigo.
“Negotiations have been brokered by super agent Giuliano Bertolucci, who represents some of the best Brazilian players like Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos.
“If Benitez signs with the Brazilian giants then he will be linking up with the same team that denied him the Club World Cup in 2005.”