Arsenal could soon be proven right on their transfer decision to prioritise Benjamin Sesko with a potentially major Viktor Gyokeres asking price twist emerging.
The Gunners are expected to sign a striker before the 2025/26 campaign with Sesko and Gyokeres undoubtedly the top two options for Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta. Both players are expected to depart RB Leipzig and Sporting CP this summer, respectively.
Gyokeres boasts a far superior goal-record with 54 arriving in all competitions and that has seen his tally for Sporting rise to just three shy of triple-figures. Sesko meanwhile, up against much harder opposition and with less experience, scored 21 goals from 45 games across the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.
The latter will not be on offer to Leipzig next season after a disappointing domestic finish and therefore the need to sell has become more important.
A sizeable fee is still being asked of potential suitors however, with Sky Sports Germany claiming that they want between £67.6million (€80m) and £84.4million (€100m) to sanction his exit. As for Gyokeres, it has been claimed that a gentleman's agreement is in place with Sporting that allows him to leave for £58.5million (€60m) plus add-ons.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, club chiefs have now gone against that supposed value with the value of the exit agreement now standing at £67.5million (€80m). Swiftly following that, it appeared as though Gyokeres made his discontent clear by removing 'Sporting' from his Instagram bio.
If that is now his asking price, Arsenal can feel justified in focusing on a striker that is five years younger and has the potential to explode. Much has been said about the quality of team Gyokeres has scored most of his goals against and that could actually make it more of a gamble than Sesko.
At nearly 6ft4ins with raw pace and power, he has the perfect attributes to succeed in the Premier League. If Arsenal can negotiate a deal towards the lower end of his asking price, it could also prove to be quite the bargain in comparison to what may now need to be paid for Gyokeres.
Talks for Sesko have since hit at an advanced stage with the man himself open to the move after turning it down 12 months prior. The chances of an exit have been further boosted by Leipzig's request, that has since been granted, that he does not play for Slovenia against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday evening.
That was made because of knee issue that was plaguing him towards the end of the season and though it is unlikely to be anything serious, further damage, arguably when his stock is as high as it may ever be, could be detrimental to Leipzig.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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