By all accounts, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta would love to bring Viktor Gyokeres to north London this summer.
Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a key option for Arsenal, a striker who scored an unprecedented number of goals for Sporting CP last season.
Gyokeres isn’t the only number nine on the Gunners’ radar right now — Benjamin Sesko has ‘universal backing’ at Arsenal himself.
And whilst some believe that Sesko is emerging as the club’s first choice, Andrea Berta has championed Gyokeres’ name for some time, a striker he was keen to sign whilst he was still working at Atletico Madrid.
But if Arsenal do choose to head in the direction of Gyokeres, they might now need to move swiftly.
Al-Hilal make Viktor Gyokeres their ‘priority’ target despite Arsenal agreement
According to Footmercato, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are now interested in a move for Gyokeres.
Al-Hilal have recently appointed former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as their new manager and they are preparing for a recruitment drive as a result.
Photo by Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
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And alongside the likes of Victor Osimhen, Al-Hilal are taking a keen look at Gyokeres who has emerged as one of their ‘priority’ targets.
Of course, that could be a major issue for Arsenal, who are unlikely to be able to match the wages that Inzaghi’s side could offer to Gyokeres.
Gyokeres has agreed to join Arsenal according to reports, even if there’s been very little contact between Sporting CP and the Gunners so far.
But even if Arsenal are prioritising Sesko right now, Gyokeres heading to the Saudi Pro League would not be ideal for several reasons.
Andrea Berta will not be happy after Viktor Gyokeres transfer update
Firstly, and most obviously, Arsenal would lose the chance to sign their Sesko back-up — a player who Mikel Arteta has failed to bring to north London before.
RB Leipzig are determined to secure a big fee if they do sell Sesko this summer, and there’s no guarantee that Arsenal will agree to their price.
Secondly, if a deal for Gyokeres is off the table, Arsenal’s position in those Sesko talks would be weaker — Leipzig could quickly realise how crucial the move would then be for Andrea Berta’s team.
Put simply, Al-Hilal’s interest in Gyokeres is not at all ideal for Arsenal.
There’s still a chance that Berta will convince Arsenal to sign Gyokeres, who many believe to be his clear preference to come in.
And in that scenario, Gyokeres’ camp would have a pretty strong position to negotiate a big deal for the striker, should interest exist from Saudi Arabia.