Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta have been working to back Mikel Arteta behind-the-scenes, with the north Londoners intent on strengthening their squad ahead of a vital Premier League campaign.
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Benjamin Sesko has now made "unusual" demand in Arsenal transfer talks
The Slovenia international wants something out of the ordinary.
Berta has many plates spinning as he looks to secure the best possible deals for his new club.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 - winter
£0
20/21 - summer
£81.5m
20/21 - winter
£900k
21/22 - summer
£156.8m
21/22 - winter
£1.8m
22/23 - summer
£121.5m
22/23 - winter
£59m
23/24 - summer
£208m
23/24 - winter
£0
24/25 - summer
£101.5m
24/25 - winter
£0
The Italian is still simultaneously working on deals for both RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, as has been the case for weeks (BBC), with Arsenal's final striker decision shaping up to be one of the most intriguing stories of this transfer window. "Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres," said reliable transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, via X, recently. "Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.
"United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he'll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time." The Gyokeres situation in particular is getting pretty toxic to say the least. Sporting president Frederico Varandas publicly denied claims that the 27-year-old would be allowed to leave for £60 million, even if Gyokeres remains privately convinced that'll happen, with the club chief also stating that he won't be blackmailed by the striker or his agent. "I want to make one thing clear: Sporting has common sense and keeps its word," said Varandas.
"Gyokeres scored 63 goals and 10 assists. Fantastic performance. Certainly one of the best players to have ever stepped onto Portuguese turf. And Sporting will not demand the clause. "Now blackmail and insults, Sporting will not accept. One thing is certain: Sporting will not accept 60 million plus 10 [£60m]."
Viktor Gyokeres "dreams" of joining Arsenal
As tensions surrounding Gyokeres' future reach boiling point, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport has at least moved to provide some good news for Arsenal. Serie A heavyweights Juventus have been expressing an interest in the Sweden international recently, but the Old Lady have been told something crystal clear - Gyokeres "dreams" of a move to Arsenal, and they're his top priority.
While Corriere reiterates that the north Londoners have seen a low-ball offer rejected already, the newspaper has provided clarity on Gyokeres' current price tag, with Sporting demanding close to around £70 million to agree a deal. Juve were actually willing to surpass Arsenal's opening offer, but after receiving Gyokeres' "refusal", they're now moving on to other targets like free agent Jonathan David. Berta knows the price at which Sporting will begin to loosen their hold on the star striker, with the 53-year-old now set to carry on pondering his imperative decision before advancing further in talks - Sesko or Gyokeres. “I know Gyokeres very well personally, I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna,” former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar told FotbollDirekt. “He’s a fantastically hardworking forward who scores a lot of goals. If we at Arsenal [were to] buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But then to see Gyokeres at Arsenal, that would be crazy. “His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn’t work out for Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs."