MIKEL ARTETA hinted Arsenal could break the bank for the right striker — comparing this summer window to overspending on a lavish wedding.
The Gunners need an elite No 9 and are eyeing up Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Both Gyokeres, 26, and Sesko, 21, could cost £60-70million while Isak, 25, is valued as high as £150m by Toon chiefs.
Arsenal splashed out £105m on midfielder Declan Rice in July 2023 — and could splurge up to £200m in this window.
Boss Arteta said: “The budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan with your wife and give her a budget.
“It’s never less — it’s always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios.
“There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget.”
Arsenal appear to be favouring Swedish striker Gyokeres — who has 95 goals in 100 games for Sporting in Portugal.
Slovenian Sesko is seen as a top talent but there are fears he is still raw.
Arteta will get another close look at his dream target Isak on Sunday when they host Newcastle.
The Emirates chief has signed a number of stars with Prem experience — such as David Raya, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino.
Asked why, Arteta added: “Sometimes it has been a thoughtful decision and sometimes it has been an opportunity.
“Sometimes it has just been luck. But there’s an element of understanding the league that brings the adaptation time lower and the risk lower.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners have also been linked with Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
The Brazilian has bagged 12 goals and 10 assists in 50 games for the Spanish giants this season.
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