RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko had been tipped to complete a move to Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal appear ready to let work done on a swoop for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko go to waste as they focus on other targets this summer.
The Gunners are in the market for a talisman as a number one priority having struggled for goals last season. Mikel Arteta’s side drew a staggering 14 fixtures as they lacked killer instinct, the most draws out of any club in the top half.
One of the prime candidates to lead the line for Arsenal next season appeared to be Sesko. The highly rated 22-year-old plundered 21 goals in all competitions last term.
Earlier this summer, Sesko was widely reported to be the number one target for Arsenal but focus has since switched to Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres. The former Coventry City striker is reportedly not set to return to pre-season training with the Portuguese side as he finalises details on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
With Gyokeres likely to cost €65 million, or £56 million, that significant outlay is likely to rule out another marquee investment on a central striker with other positions needing strengthening. The Athletic claim that RB Leipzig want €90 million, or £77 million for Sesko, and that the fee is not up for negotiations.
That makes Gyokeres a significantly cheaper option and he is a player who registered 54 goals in all competitions last season. In his Wednesday briefing for GIVEMESPORT, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano was asked whether an Arsenal move for Sesko was now ‘unlikely’. He replied: “At the moment, it has gone quiet as the focus is on Gyokeres.”
However, The Mirror suggest that Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta could be faced with the ‘embarrassing’ task of returning to RB Leipzig for a Sesko deal with the Gyokeres move not yet given the green light by Sporting CP.
The Gunners have agreed personal teams with the striker but a fee is yet to be sorted with Sporting. The outlet claims that Arsenal could sensationally walk away from a deal rather than being held to ransom by the Portuguese club.
Arsenal are believed to be around £10 million short of reaching the fee that Sporting CP want with some disagreement over the structure of the deal too. Sesko’s agent had spoken out on the transfer rumours swirling around his player earlier in the window.
Elvis Basanovic said: “Let me tell you: Sesko is not competing with anyone. It’s him vs him every day. We have a clear plan for the future and media speculation doesn’t affect us. Sesko is not just a striker, he is a special striker.”
