Mikel Arteta Andrea Berta Arsenal
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 16 May 2025 10:03, UK
Andrea Berta is keen to press on with his top centre-forward target at Arsenal despite Mikel Arteta’s difference of opinion, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Arsenal‘s pursuit of two different strikers.
Arsenal’s new sporting director has made a new number nine his number one priority at the Emirates this summer, as Arteta’s Gunners look to finally win the Premier League or Champions League next season.
However, sources have told Football Insider that Arteta and Berta aren’t fully aligned on whom Arsenal should bid for, with the latter “pushing ahead” to complete a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Berta is spearheading the club’s pursuit of Gyokeres with talks at an advanced stage, while Arteta has wants RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko who he sees as a stronger alternative.
Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres will be Europe’s most sought-after striker this summer (Hasan Karim – Breaking Media)
Arteta overruled as Arsenal close in on Viktor Gyokeres transfer
Arsenal are far from the only club interested in Gyokeres this summer and a move to Manchester United could also be close, with Sesko a younger and less-proven option than the prolific 26-year-old Swede.
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However, Speaking on the latest Inside Track, O’Rourke said that after an attempt to sign Gyokeres in his time at Atletico Madrid, Berta could now be on the brink of his first statement signing at the Emirates.
“With Andrea Berta, it’s understood that he’s a huge fan of Victor Gyokeres at Sporting”, he told Football Insider.
“He was interested in [Gyokeres] when he was in charge at Atletico Madrid, so he would be his number one target, while it is being suggested to me that Arteta would prefer Benjamin Sesko.
“Berta is utilising his control here over transfers, and he is pushing ahead with a deal for Gyokeres.”
Arteta is a big fan of Benjamin Sesko for Arsenal (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Gyokeres transfer to be final piece of the Arsenal jigsaw
Although Berta is keen for Arteta to “make room” for other players on his transfer shortlist this summer, the Gunners’ priority simply has to be the centre-forward signing which has eluded them for so long.
Whether it’s Sesko, Gyokeres or an even more expensive alternative like Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Arsenal can’t afford to start next season without a new number nine at the forefront of Arteta’s attack.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (15 May) that Arsenal could complete another deal for yet another centre-back, but this should be well down the list compared to the need for a new figurehead up front.
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