The three standout Arsenal transfer targets for the summer window emerge amid £55.6m striker aim

The season may be over but the summer of transfer madness has already begun. In fact, it started some time ago with links to the Gunners cropping up from the moment the January market slammed shut. With Arsenal finishing just two points behind Manchester City this season, the need to strengthen is clear to all.

However, the scope to upgrade a starting XI which won more Premier League matches than any previous Arsenal side, scored more goals and conceded fewer than any other club in the league this season and less than Mikel Arteta’s side let in last season is a tough ask. However, the depth and competition in certain areas can be addressed seriously.

There are three key areas which the club want to bring players in for: the centre-forward role, central midfield and in defence with a favour toward the left-hand side. With that in mind, football.london looks at the three leading candidates for those positions.

Benjamin Sesko

Up top is perhaps where there is the most excitement from supporters and Benjamin Sesko appears the standout candidate from a number of options. Viktor Gyokeres, football.london understands, is another player the club are keen on as is compatriot Alexander Isak is also on the shortlist, although the likelihood of a move for the Newcastle forward is low at this stage.

At 20, Sesko offers Arsenal immediate quality shown by his form in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig and potential which could see him gradually establish himself as the Gunners' main No.9 while competing with Kai Havertz. His €65million (£55.6million) release clause allows for a simpler negotiation process, although the German club are already exploring a renewal meaning Arsenal may have to move fast. The European Championships are a slight stumbling block for an early deal as the striker makes the Slovenian squad.

Bruno Guimaraes

Midfield is perhaps the area where there is the least amount of clarity on Arsenal’s targets. There have been links to many options but the priority remains unclear, especially as interest in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi has somewhat cooled. Bruno Guimaraes is the standout candidate in terms of quality and the interest of Arsenal is well-documented from his time in Brazil and France before the switch to Newcastle.

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A release clause of £100million exists but Arsenal would certainly hope to see a deal done below this figure as they aim to complete their dream midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Whether that is achievable remains to be seen with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe recently stressing his importance to the side. Other names to have emerged include Youssouf Fofana, Joao Neves and Amadou Onana.

Jorrel Hato

The young Ajax talent Jorrel Hato remains the key defensive target the club are keen on. Having signed a new deal since the January transfer window with no release clause, Arsenal will be aware any potential deal might be tricky but they do have good relations with the Dutch side following the pursuits of Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber.

With Timber coming on for Ben White at right-back on Sunday and telling football.london he is unsure where his specific role will be, the left side remains an area that needs more consistency and assurance, especially with Oleksandr Zinchenko not assured to be staying with the club for the foreseeable future; a player of Hato's age and talent could be perfect.