The genius Arsenal free agent signing who could save club millions to spend on £93m lethal striker transfer

New attacking options are top of the wish list for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this summer. More than that - they are a necessity if the club is to have a realistic chance of going one better next season and putting an end to their second-place hoodoo.

The Gunners struggled massively in front of goal without a recognised striker in the long-term absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus through injury, though the majority of Arsenal fans would tell you neither of those were ever the answer in the first place. An over-reliance on 23-year-old Bukayo Saka for creativity from wide positions cost them, too, as their other attacking options failed to step up during Saka’s long injury absence.

This summer, the Gunners have no excuse not to spend big - and Arteta will know that his future at the club could depend on if improvement is seen next campaign after a limp end to their Premier League season.

Smart free transfer could open door for big-money move

According to reports by the Telegraph, Arsenal have enquired into the signing of free agent Leroy Sané, who is out of contract at German champions Bayern Munich next month. The 29-year-old has struck 13 goals this season, with 61 goals and 55 assists in 220 games for the club in all, but looks set to be on the move this summer.

Sané was a key member of Pep Guardiola’s Centurions Manchester City side of 2017-18, then scored the winning goal against title challengers Liverpool as City retained their Premier League crown the following campaign. Mikel Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant manager at the time, and will know the qualities which the German international possesses.

What could prove even more crucial is that a move for Sané would save up Arsenal’s budget to spend on a striker - with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko reportedly a major target for Arteta, though the German side may demand a huge £92.5m for the Slovenian’s services. The 21-year-old already has nearly 100 career goals and has been targeted by many of Europe’s top clubs as a superstar in the making.

Why a move for Leroy Sané could be ideal for Arsenal

In an increasingly competitive market, top-quality forward options are at a premium and Arteta must be aware of the financial implications which can come from big-money signings not living up to their price tags - take the situations at Manchester United and Barcelona as prime examples. Therefore to get two top-quality attacking players for the price of one is an opportunity simply not worth missing.

With Raheem Sterling returning to Chelsea after a lacklustre loan spell in North London, Sané would provide another great option from wide positions and could play a key role as the Gunners look to fight on all fronts next season. Despite his glittering career, the Champions League trophy is the one thing which has eluded Sané, and he may see the Emirates as somewhere his dream could be realised after the Gunners’ run to the semi-finals this year.

Bringing in a bargain free agent signing in the shape of Sané could prove a masterstroke if Arsenal are to make a blockbuster move for Sesko. The price for him is certainly steep, but the arrival of Sané could make the move all the more possible.