Arsenal’s long search for a striker this summer has ultimately resulted in a tussle between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
In an ideal world, Mikel Arteta would have loved to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for Arsenal this summer, a Swede who scored 23 Premier League goals last term.
However, Newcastle are determined to keep Isak and there currently seems little prospect of Arsenal signing the 25-year-old.
Instead, sporting director Andrea Berta has been exploring a deal for Isak’s compatriot Viktor Gyokeres, who wasn’t shy of scoring goals last season himself.
Gyokeres netted 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games for Sporting CP, explaining why some fans in N5 prefer him as a ‘win now’ option over Benjamin Sesko at RB Leipzig.
Viktor Gyokeres thinks he’s about to sign for Arsenal
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal’s race to sign Gyokeres or Sesko is now something of a 50/50 call.
Recently it was considered that Sesko was in pole position to sign for Arsenal, but the pendulum has now slightly swung back towards Gyokeres.
Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres looking on during a match for Sporting CP
Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images
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In truth, Arsenal are keeping their cards close to their chest, even if talks are ongoing with both players’ camps.
Contact is also continuing between Arsenal and each club too — a situation that both Arteta and Berta would ideally like resolved before pre-season.
But as things stand, sources have confirmed to TBR Football that Gyokeres is preparing to move to England.
Indications from Gyokeres’ camp now suggest that the Swedish striker is confident that he is moving to Arsenal.
And that’s an opinion also shared by the Gunners’ Premier League rivals — they also think Gyokeres will be an Arsenal player.
Benjamin Sesko still wants to sign for Arsenal
In terms of Arsenal’s interest in Sesko, things are somewhat more reserved right now.
Sesko wants to sign for Arsenal but the 22-year-old isn’t desperate to leave RB Leipzig if he doesn’t get his move to north London.
The German club are currently standing firm on their lofty valuation for the Slovenia international, a situation that previously caused Sesko to be frustrated with Leipzig.
In terms of Gyokeres’ asking price, it’s understood that a fee of around £60m would be enough to prise the Sweden international away from Sporting.
Arsenal are currently making progress in strengthening several other areas of their squad right now.
And Arteta will hope to soon have a new number nine in place to spearhead the club’s title challenge next season.