SETTABLOID

Vincent Kompany wants Arsenal duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Albert Sambi Lokonga as his first two signings as Bayern Munich boss, according to reports.

In one of the surprise appointments of the year, Kompany – whose Burnley side were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season – was appointed Bayern Munich manager earlier this week, in one of the best examples of failing upwards.

Speaking after being announced as the new boss of the Bavarian giants, Kompany said: “I’m eternally motivated, I wake up from the morning to the evening motivated with the intention to make everyone around me better.

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“I’m not defined by the successful years in my life, it’s the moments I had tough times.

“I don’t want to be successful on my own I want to bring as many people with me, that’s in my nature.”

This season was the first season in 12 attempts that Bayern Munich have not won the Bundesliga title with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen emerging victorious in an unbeaten campaign.

Second-placed Bayern Munich have been licking their wounds ever since and Thomas Tuchel eventually left after last-minute talks to keep him before they appointed Kompany.

And Kompany has already started work identifying who he’d like to bring into the Bundesliga club during the summer transfer window with rumours emerging that he wants to bring Arsenal duo Zinchenko and Lokonga to the Allianz Arena.

And another report in Football Transfers claims that Bayern are ‘seeking a deal’ for Arsenal midfielder Lokonga – who spent last season on loan at Luton Town – ‘as the first transfer’ of Kompany’s reign.

The Bavarians ‘only want to sign the player, who spent much of the season at Luton Town, on a loan deal, Arsenal are set to insist on a permanent transfer.’

Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk reveals how former Manchester City defender Kompany managed to make a great first impression at Bayern Munich this week.

Falk wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Vincent Kompany has something that both of his predecessors, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel, didn’t. He may be lacking coaching experience, but it’s worth pointing out that he has a lot of experience as a player.

“Nagelsmann and Tuchel didn’t have big careers on the pitch. Players will listen to Kompany in the dressing room, as they’ll be more than aware of his experience in the Premier League, Champions League and Bundesliga, not to mention in terms of winning titles. This could be a big advantage.

“Now that Max Eberl has talked to Kompany he admitted he couldn’t believe Bayern hadn’t opened talks with the Belgian six weeks ago, as he knows how good he will be at the club. There is some regret that Kompany wasn’t initially higher up on the list.

Arsenal are looking to improve their squad this summer and could be edging closer to signing a player who is just like Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners want to add new faces to the group this summer to freshen things up after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title once again.

Mikel Arteta has his targets and as usual, Arsenal are looking to move quickly to sign them.

Young forward Benjamin Sesko is a player Arsenal are thought to like a lot, with Sesko himself apparently being keen to join the Gunners.

However, according to reports from Belgium, Arsenal have also made an approach for another forward.

Arsenal make approach for Johan Bakayoko

According to a report from HBVL, both Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs to have made an approach for the young winger.

Bakayoko is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now and is being tracked by a number of big clubs.

Arsenal are working hard to get their summer transfer business sealed up quickly after a bitter end to the 2023/24 Premier League season, where they lost the title in a narrow way to Manchester City. Amid this, the North London heavyweights appear to have received a major boost in their aims to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal Become Favourites for Benjamin Sesko Transfer

What Does Sesko Feel About Potential Arsenal Move?

The Mirror’s John Cross has reported that Sesko “favours a move” to Arsenal in the summer and is ready for a new journey in his career. It’s added that he is seeking interest from multiple clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United, but he personally opts to join the Gunners. The journalist adds that Arsenal are now favourites to sign the Slovenian forward.

The journalist adds that Mikel Arteta is personally looking for a young striker who he can help develop into a top star and someone who can work in tandem with Kai Havertz too. It’s further stated that the Gunners can get a deal for around £45 million. Cross also claims that RB Leipzig are prepared to sell the 20-year-old forward if they’re able to broker the right deal, even though Sesko has only been with the club for a year or so. The journalist also claims that Arsenal are unlikely to pursue a ‘superstar signing’ and are looking for an up-and-coming forward.

What Can Sesko Bring to Arsenal?

The Slovenian striker had a pretty impressive 2023/24 season with RB Leipzig and proved himself as an impressive goal-scorer in the Bundesliga. The 20-year-old scored 18 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, which included seven goals in the final seven Bundesliga games.

Sesko was really good in his stint at RB Salzburg too, having scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists in 79 appearances for them. The young forward was recently hailed as being “fast and intelligent” by Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who believes that the Slovenian forward can definitely succeed in the Premier League. Sesko’s agent attended a few Arsenal matches in the 2023/24 campaign too, and now it remains to be seen if the Gunners push to sign him before the Euro 2024 begins.

Arsenal continue to be linked with a move to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.

The Gunners have been credited with an interest in signing Sesko for several months. Arsenal opted not to sign a striker in the January transfer window, opting instead to stick with their existing options of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

With Arsenal finishing the season second in the Premier League and without a major trophy, rumours that a striker is back on the transfer agenda have resurfaced. Sesko is one such player who is reportedly a target for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of next season.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in signing Sesko. The 21-year-old moved to Leipzig last summer from Red Bull Salzburg in a deal reportedly worth €24 million (£20 million).

It was reported by Manchester Evening News earlier this month that Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, was present for one of Arsenal’s matches.

The representatives of the Leipzig striker were said to be at Old Trafford as the Gunners claimed a 1-0 win over Man United on May 12. Basanovic shared a picture of himself at Old Trafford on Instagram. In the caption he wrote: “Just ordinary day in Premier League office.”

Sesko is just one striker that Arsenal have been linked with over the last few months. Newcastle United star Alexander Isak and Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee have been credited as targets for the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window.

Reports in recent months have speculated that Sesko has a release clause in his contract this summer. It has been suggested that the clause was initially €42 million (£35 million) before increasing to €65 million (£55 million).

A report from The Mirror recently claimed that Sesko would be interested in a move to Arsenal this summer. It was reported that the Gunners value Sesko at £45 million, and look set to step up their interest in the Leipzig striker when the transfer window opens.

According to The Daily Mirror, Arsenal have moved into pole position ahead of Manchester United to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.

The Gunners have been linked with multiple strikers over the past few months and The Daily Mirror claim that they are now edging closer to securing the services of Sesko from Leipzig.

The 20-year-old is also on the radar of Man United and Chelsea, but the Gunners have been handed a huge boost with Sesko giving the green light for a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Huge talent

Sesko netted 18 goals in his debut campaign for Leipzig. He had a slow start to his career after finding himself on the bench. However, his playing time increased during the second half of the season as he got to adapt to the demands of the Bundesliga.

The Slovenian ended on a high by scoring in 7 consecutive league appearances. He averaged a goal in every 114 minutes during his debut season with Leipzig. At 20, Sesko has huge potential and we are not surprised that Arsenal want to sign him.

The Gunners have now received a massive boost with the player also interested in joining them. Mikel Arteta’s side have the option of triggering his £55 million release clause, but could prefer to negotiate with Leipzig to pay the fee over several years.

Sesko would be a fabulous signing for the Gunners and he could be their answer to Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland. The young striker has yet to find the consistency of the Norwegian, but he has similar traits in the final third of the pitch.

The ex-Salzburg star is gifted with raw pace on the counter-attack. He can also dribble past his opposition and has the ability to generate plenty of power and accuracy with his strikes on goal due to his plank posture. He could develop into one of the world’s best strikers once he adapts to the intensity of the Premier League.

Arsenal might join the race to sign 22-year-old Dutch full-back Quilindschy Hartman from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by the Daily Telegraph, Quilindschy Hartman is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners are scouring the market for a left-back heading into the summer transfer window. And they are mulling over entering the chase for the 22-year-old Feyenoord full-back.

Who is Quilindschy Hartman?

Quilindschy Hartman has established himself as one of the best young prospects in his homeland in the last few years. A native of Zwijndrecht, he began his youth career at VVGZ before a short stint with Excelsior Rotterdam followed. However, he came leaps and bounds after joining Feyenoord in 2010.

London calling?

Arsenal’s interest in Quilindschy Hartman is understandable. Mikel Arteta wants a natural left-back to mix things up in his team’s offensive gameplay. While the Arsenal manager has preferred utilising a more defensive-minded left-back, Hartman can add a new dimension to the style of play.

So, the 22-year-old Dutch full-back is a viable target for Arsenal heading into the summer transfer window. However, while the Gunners are mulling over a possible move for Hartman, it is unclear if they will launch the offensive to secure his services in the summer transfer window.

Hartman can be a long-term solution on the left flank for Arsenal if he rediscovers his best form after returning from a long-term injury layoff. So, it will be interesting to see if the 22-year-old becomes a top target for the North London club in the coming weeks.

Arsenal could still sign Bruno Guimaraes this summer despite a transfer from Newcastle looking unlikely. The Brazil international has seen a £100million release clause become active in his contract recently with that remaining present until June 24.

Any interested club can agree to pay the triple-figure fee and would thus be given permission to discuss a transfer with Guimaraes. Arsenal and Manchester City have shown interest with Paris Saint-Germain also as an option, however the midfielder would prefer to remain in the Premier League.

football.london understands that it is unlikely he moves to north London in the summer with the Gunners’ stance on his release clause already clear. “Arsenal have no plans to trigger the (£100m) release clause,” journalist Ben Jacobs wrote.

“They will only consider a move if the price drops. Martin Zubimendi remains a more concrete possibility. Guimaraes has given every indication he’s happy at Newcastle, but an exit can’t be discounted due to the clause.” The Magpies’ financial worries could help Arsenal in that regard with it possible they are forced to make a marquee sale.

Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, who has also been linked to Arsenal, undoubtedly fit into that category and concerns over profit and sustainability rules have increased following the weekend. Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph saw them handed a Europa League spot with Chelsea then occupying the Europa Conference League spot Newcastle earnt which has seen the latter miss out entirely.

Decreasing Guimaraes’ asking price could therefore be done with that financial blow in mind and if that does occur, Arsenal may strike with a double secret weapon also emerging. Guimaraes is currently on international duty with Brazil, alongside Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli.

A video has since emerged of the three players greeting each other and exchanging pleasantries with it certainly possible the Gunners can use Martinelli and Gabriel to convince international teammate Guimaraes of a move to Arsenal while they are away together.

As alternatives to Guimaraes, Arsenal have looked at Amadou Onana, Martin Zubimendi and Youssouf Fofana with it looking increasingly likely Thomas Partey departs.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of midfield players heading into the summer transfer window.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi have been named as potential targets, but now, a more budget option has emerged as a Gunners target.

Indeed, Arsenal are now said to be in talks about potentially signing Youssouf Fofana from Monaco, a player valued at around £30m last summer’

Youssouf Fofana in Arsenal talks

According to Lequipe, Arsenal, along with AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and PSG, are in talks with Fofana’s camp about a move to Arsenal.

The fact that those four clubs are in for Fofana tells you all you need to know, this young man is hot property.

A France international, Fofana is a very talented holding midfield player cut from a similar cloth to Aurelien Tchouameni who he worked alongside for a time at Monaco.

Interestingly, Fofana has also worked alongside an Arsenal legend in the past at Monaco.

Cesc Fabregas is a player Fofana has been lucky enough to describe as a teammate in the past, and, intriguingly, Fabregas did tip Fofana for a move to Liverpool not too long ago.

Fofana could be ideal for Arsenal

This could be a very wise move from Arsenal.

The Gunners need a new holding midfield player to allow Declan Rice to continue to flourish in his more advanced role, and Fofana would be a great addition to this side.

Fofana is a great holding midfield player, while he wouldn’t cost the earth this summer either.

Of course, with the likes of PSG, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan also keen, it won’t be easy for Arsenal to get this one over the line.

Fofana will be on the move this summer, and, it looks as though he could be on his way to the Premier League to join Mikel Arteta’s side.

This is certainly one to keep an eye on in this upcoming transfer window.