Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta played a big role in the club’s decision to sign Viktor Gyokeres instead of Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Sesko was initially the top target to bolster the striking department for the Gunners, and there was an extended round of negotiations with RB Leipzig and the player’s entourage.
However, Arsenal eventually opted to land Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead. The Swede was determined to join the club and ultimately got his dream fulfilled.
Sesko, on the other hand, made the move to the Red Devils from Leipzig later on.
The Athletic now reveal that Berta had a big say on the decision to land Gyokeres over Sesko.
While Arsenal were initially keen on landing Sesko, the club were reluctant to pay €84.5 million.
A maximum payout of €73.5m for a proven goalscorer (Gyokeres) with experience in English football was considered a ‘good deal’ for the London giants.
Berta ‘banged the drum’ for Gyokeres most consistently and eventually ‘got his man’.
Gyokeres has made a good impression at Arsenal
The Sweden international has had a mixed beginning to his Arsenal career, but has still fared well.
He had a nervous outing at Manchester United, but came into his own against Leeds United. He scored his debut goal with a trademark run and finish before converting a stoppage-time penalty.
Gyokeres did not get any clear-cut chances against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, but he did impress with his link-up play, providing some key passes. Both teams were strong defensively on the day.
The 27-year-old still needs to develop chemistry with the team. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka formed a good link-up with him, but the latter has been ruled out for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Odegaard has had less than 30 minutes per game in the last two outings due to a shoulder issue. As a result, Gyokeres had a new attack behind him in Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli to start with at Anfield.
Arsenal return after the international break with a home game against Nottingham Forest. Hopefully, there will be better coordination in the final third with Gyokeres’ teammates getting to know better about his movements.