Arsenal have been doing work on deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko this summer but their No.1 striker target has now seemingly come to light with a deal close
Arsenal are now said to be in advanced talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres with a move for Benjamin Sesko seemingly on the backburner.
The Gunners’ top priority this summer is signing a quality new striker and Gyokeres and Sesko are understood to be their two top targets. Both are expected to leave their respective clubs before the 2025-26 campaign but, until now, it has been unclear who Arsenal intend to pursue a mega-money transfer for.
And it is Gyokeres, rather than Sesko, who looks to be Emirates-bound according to a fresh report from Europe.
Sky Sports claim that Arsenal and Sporting are now in ‘advanced talks’ over a blockbuster deal which would see Gyokeres, 27, swap the Portuguese Primeira Liga for the Premier League.
And with club-to-club talks advancing, it’s said that Gyokeres and Arsenal have already agreed on a five-year deal for the Swede.
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Arsenal are said to feel that the ‘closing line’ is now in sight after moving away from a deal for Sesko, who was courted heavily last summer before signing a new contract with RB Leipzig.
Despite suggestions that Sesko was Mikel Arteta‘s preferred striker target, speculation over a move for Gyokeres has refused to go away.
For his part, the striker is keen on joining Arsenal despite rival interest from Manchester United, who are now said to be pursuing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Gyokeres has also turned down a lucrative contract offer worth £11million-a-year from Juventus due to his preference for Arsenal, who are seeking quality reinforcements to bolster a squad which finished second for a third consecutive season last term.
There is seemingly no way back for Sporting and Gyokeres with the striker said to be furious at the club after they reneged on a gentleman’s agreement to sell the striker for a price significantly lower than his release clause.
Sporting Lisbon president Federico Varandas recently said: “Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset.
“However, we remain sensitive to Viktor’s dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.
“Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won’t disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won’t leave, absolutely not.
“In recent weeks, we have been paying attention. I saw a player, [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, go for 65 million, and I saw Matheus Cunha move to Manchester United for around 75 million euros. We are talking about players who are 26 years old. I believe Viktor could leave, unless he has the worst agent in the world, which I don’t believe, as his agent is one of the best in the world.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
