Arsenal are prioritising a new striker as Mikel Arteta's No.1 target ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The Gunners head into preseason refreshed after not featuring in the FIFA Club World Cup but Arteta is under pressure after finishing in second place in a third successive top-flight season.
A deal for Spain international Martin Zubimendi is almost complete, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho moving on, but a new face in attack is vital for Arteta to challenge for the league title in 2026.
Arteta and Sporting Director Andrea Berta have been working across multiple deals with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko both highlighted as options from Sporting CP and RB Leipzig respectively.
However, both deals have run into issues, with Arsenal unwilling to pay what they view to be inflated transfer fees for the pair as Manchester United also track Gyokeres.
With time pressure beginning to impact Arteta's plans - ahead of a squad return in mid-July - a fresh option has emerged as he prepares to take on Liverpool for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike.
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France U21 international Ekitike has rocketed to prominence after a superb season in Frankfurt on the back of joining permanently from PSG last summer.
He took up to the mantle following Omar Marmoush's January move to Manchester City and ended the 2024/25 campaign with 15 Bundesliga goals and 22 scored overall - plus 12 assists.
However, with a contract until 2029, Frankfurt are in a strong position to secure their rumoured minimum asking price of £65m - which is below both Sesko and Gyokeres' valuations.
As per reports from German outlet Bild, Arsenal have now flagged up Ekitike as a 'serious option' alongside interest from Anfiel.
Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche has previously offered an update over an Ekitike exit but he confirmed the club could increase their demands as interest hosts up.
"If the price isn’t right, then he’ll stay with us. We don’t have to sell Hugo/"
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