With Arsenal struggling to make progress on a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, the Gunners are instead making headway on Viktor Gyokeres.
Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal are keen to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer, and they even invited the player’s agent to the Gunners’ final game of the season against Newcastle United.
Yet transfer talks haven’t been easy so far, with no agreement between Arsenal and Sesko, nor between Arsenal and RB Leipzig.
Mokbel adds that in recent days, there have been indications that Arsenal are focusing on other targets, including Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
The report suggests Arsenal have made headway on a potential move for Gyokeres in recent days, with sporting director Andrea Berta backing the move. The striker is very keen to join, though he remains in conflict with his club over his valuation.
Sporting are looking for €80m (£68.7m), but Gyokeres wants an exit for €60m (£51.5m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons. He believes that €70m package was verbally agreed with the club last summer.
As it stands, the striker intends to refuse to turn up to training until Sporting honour that agreement. But the club claim it’s all a misunderstanding and they only committed to accepting less than his €100m release clause.
One other option is Ollie Watkins, with Mokbel reporting that the Aston Villa striker is also open to joining, and Arsenal exploring the move in recent days.
Sam Dean had reported for The Telegraph last week that another move for Watkins this summer was looking unlikely, following Arsenal’s failed bid in January. But perhaps the situation is changing as the pursuit of Sesko falters.
Arsenal aren’t yet close to an agreement to sign any of the three strikers, so this saga is set to drag on for a while longer yet.