Gyokeres in DREAMLAND as Sesko makes Arsenal transfer demand

Suraj Radia

23 Jun 2025 10:15 BST
4 min read

Benjamin Sesko, Mikel Arteta, Viktor Gyokeres — © IMAGO

Arsenal’s transfer for Benjamin Sesko has been thrown further into doubt after a shock development which could see Mikel Arteta turn to Viktor Gyokeres in his search for a new number nine.

Article continues under the video

Sesko and Gyokeres are understood to be Arsenal’s top priorities to strengthen up front and the Gunners are in negotiations with both RB Leipzig and Sporting respectively to see which player proves to be financially feasible for them.

With Sporting having rejected Arsenal’s verbal offer of €65 million for Gyokeres, attention had briefly turned to Sesko, who Leipzig have placed a price tag of around €80m on.

Compared

Benjamin Šeško

F (C)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Šeško

F (C)

RB Leipzig

VS

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

€66.9M	ETV	€77M
€60.2M - €73.6M	ETV Range	€69.3M - €84.8M
22 years old (31 May, 2003)	Age	27 years old (04 Jun, 1998)
Slovenia	Nationality	Sweden

While Arsenal are thought to be open to meeting Leipzig’s asking price, agreeing personal terms with Sesko has proven to be a struggle, with The Transfers Podcast revealing last week that the 22-year-old had been demanding a release clause in any deal with the Gunners.

And a further report by The Sun claims that Sesko is demanding wages higher than what Arsenal are willing to pay, which could see the club ‘change direction’ in their transfer plans.

Arsenal may now end negotiations with Sesko in order to avoid missing out on Gyokeres, who is still desperate to move to the Emirates despite interest from teams such as Manchester United and Juventus.

Gyokeres developing edge over Sesko in Arsenal talks

Sesko had initially been Arsenal’s first choice target, having attempted to sign the Slovenian last summer only for him to agree a new contract with Leipzig.

© IMAGO - Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are Arsenal's top striker targets.

But, after perhaps an underwhelming campaign for Leipzig where he failed to better his goal record from the previous season, Arsenal opened their stance to consider a move for Gyokeres as well.

STATS

Benjamin Šeško

F (C)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Šeško

F (C)

RB Leipzig

53

Games
26

Goals
6

Assists

Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games in all competitions for Sporting last season and the Swede is keen to continue his career playing in the Champions League and competing for trophies with Arsenal, which could endear him to the Gunners board.

Arsenal already backed out of a move for top target Nico Williams this summer due to the Athletic Bilbao star’s prospective wages and they may end up repeating their decision with Sesko unless the youngster reigns in his financial demands.

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