Arsenal are on the verge of reaching a verbal agreement with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to L’Equipe, while Sky Sports reports that talks over RB Leipzig youngster Benjamin Sesko have hit an impasse.
The Gunners are in the market for a reliable centre-forward and have been exploring several options in recent weeks. Among the favourites for Arsenal’s new No.9 spot are Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, while Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson are also on their radar.
New Arsenal director Andrea Berta has been in talks with both Sesko and Gyokeres for weeks, but both deals have been advancing slowly of late. As revealed by the Transfers Podcast, Sesko is demanding a release clause, and reports elsewhere assert that Leipzig’s asking price is also too steep.
As for Gyokeres, the problem isn’t the player but rather his club. Sporting CP have allegedly reneged on an agreement to let the player leave for around €70 million this summer, although the Portuguese dispute that such a pact ever existed.
This has led to Gyokeres informing the club that he will no longer play for them, but Sporting are refusing to budge. They reportedly want in excess of €80m for the Sweden international, which is a fee Arsenal have so far been reluctant to pay.
Arsenal close to Gyokeres agreement
However, the Gunners are making major progress in talks with Gyokeres and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya. In fact, according to L’Equipe, Arsenal are now ‘close’ to reaching an agreement with the player.
Gyokeres has made no secret of the fact that he is prioritising a move to Arsenal right now, so personal terms are not proving a major issue. The problem remains Sporting’s obstinacy.
Berta views Gyokeres as his top target, while Mikel Arteta and others at Arsenal favour a move for the younger Sesko. However, Sky Sports has just published a report stating that talks for the latter are now ‘at a standstill.’
“Sesko’s camp believed his future would be sorted by now, with several clubs interested in signing the forward,” the report asserts. “It is understood that while a move away from the German club is not off, talks have not progressed so far during the window.
“The player remains relaxed about his future and won’t force a move out of RB Leipzig.”
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