Arsenal have made significant strides in their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, largely due to growing frustrations with RB Leipzig over the valuation of Benjamin Sesko. Despite longstanding admiration for Sesko and positive relations between the clubs, Arsenal have found negotiations with Leipzig increasingly difficult this summer — prompting a decisive pivot toward Gyökeres.
The Gunners were hopeful that this would be the summer to land Sesko, having shown serious interest in the Slovenian forward for over a year. Last summer, Arsenal were reportedly close to striking a deal in the region of £50 million, only for the player to opt to stay at Leipzig in the belief that another year of development in Germany would serve him best.
That decision was accepted at the time by all parties, and there was an expectation within Arsenal’s hierarchy that this summer would bring a more favourable negotiating landscape. The assumption was that Leipzig would be open to letting Sesko leave for the right package — a fee around £60m — especially considering the mutual goodwill built over previous talks.
However, Arsenal have been left surprised and increasingly irritated by Leipzig’s unyielding stance. The German club are holding out for a total package close to €80 million (£68m), which the Gunners view as inflexible given the context of last year’s near-deal and the current market.
As a result, Arsenal have shifted focus and begun to accelerate negotiations with Sporting CP for Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker, who enjoyed a sensational season in Portugal, has emerged as a strong alternative and is seen as more obtainable at this stage of the window. Arsenal believe that a deal for Gyökeres in the region of €65 million could be finalised, with talks progressing positively and personal terms unlikely to be an issue.
Gyökeres is known for his physicality, pressing, and eye for goal — attributes that make him a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s tactical demands. With Arsenal keen to add a dynamic striker to complement their frontline, the club is optimistic that the Swedish international could provide an immediate upgrade.
Internally, Arsenal have long rated both Sesko and Gyökeres, but Sesko was initially seen as the more long-term, high-upside investment. However, given Leipzig’s reluctance to budge on price — despite their previous goodwill — the club’s decision-makers have deemed it more efficient to focus their energy on a more cooperative negotiation process with Sporting.
This development does not entirely rule out a future move for Sesko, but as it stands, Arsenal’s efforts are now firmly concentrated on finalising a deal for Gyökeres.
If successful, the move would mark a major step forward in Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive, delivering the marquee striker Arteta has long wanted and signalling a shift in approach from patience to pragmatism.
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