Arsenal could be set for a thrilling summer as it looks to bolster its attack, with the club seemingly easing closer to securing a top-notch striker. Mikel Arteta is desperate to catch Liverpool next season, but knows Arsenal needs to sign a forward in order to do so.
The Gunners have been on the prowl for a marquee forward and it appears that the pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike has become slightly more straightforward. The Emirates Stadium has been abuzz with transfer speculation recently, and it's clear that the Arsenal brass are eyeing a specific level of talent, much to the delight of the Arsenal supporters.
While Liverpool has signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez this summer, Arsenal is yet to make a first-team signing and has only been rumored to be close to signing defensive-minded players.
Sporting's Gyokeres is on its radar, though he's also being courted by Manchester United and a host of other European outfits. While Sesko seems to be at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist, the chase for Gyokeres is still very much alive. In a development that might get the Arsenal fans excited, Sporting president Frederico Varandas conceded over the weekend that Gyokeres could be let go for less than initially expected.
Varandas remarked: "Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete.
"Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor. Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave.
Goal scorer Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP celebrates winning the Portuguese Cup Final at the end of the Portuguese Cup 2024/2025 - Final match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio Nacional on May 25, 2025 in Oeiras, Portugal.
Viktor Gyokeres has been a longtime target for the Gunners (Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
"I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not."
Once believed to be fixed on a departure figure of $116 million from the Portuguese team, Gyokeres's price tag appears to no longer hold firm.
This potential reduction could spark a reconsideration from Arteta. With an enviable record of 54 goals across all competitions last term, including six in the Champions League, Gyokeres would represent a significant coup, akin to Sesko's high-profile appeal.
Yet, RB Leipzig marksman might also see his future recalibrate this summer, given murmurs that the Bundesliga outfit have eased their financial demands for the sprightly 22 year old.
Touted as a coveted catch for Arteta, the Spanish gaffer will no doubt find encouragement in these twists with the young striker's situation.
Original expectations set Leipzig’s price bracket for Sesko between $93 million and $116 million, seemingly dissuading interested parties. But, recent reports suggest a fee around $81.8 million could sway Arsenal to snag Sesko for Premier League action.
Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig at Deutsche Bank Park on April 26, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Hugo Ekitike may also be on his way to another club this summer (Image: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Comparatively speaking, many opine that Sesko edges over Gyokeres as a more tactical acquisition, when considering the youth edge and the rigorous pedigree of Bundesiga compared to Portugal’s upper echelon.
Arteta, however, is keeping his options open with another potential recruit who seems to be on the brink of leaving his current club. Ekitike, who netted 22 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2024/25 season, has piqued the interest of several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, United, and Chelsea.
Yet, Arsenal has now unexpectedly entered the fray for the prolific Frenchman.
GetFootball reports that Frankfurt is close to securing a deal for Union SG striker Franjo Ivanovic, who could command a fee of around $35 million. The 21 year old is seen as the perfect successor to Ekitike, having scored 16 goals in Union SG's first league title victory since 1935.
Ekitike's exit from Germany appears increasingly probable, with the 23 year old Frenchman expected to depart either this summer or the next. Securing a replacement will undoubtedly ease negotiations for clubs keen on Frankfurt's striker.
However, Frankfurt is holding out for a substantial $116 million fee, and with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool also showing interest, he may well be the most complex option among the three forwards.