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Arsenal WAR as Sesko agent has dig at Gyokeres: We won't blackmail Leipzig!
Tom Weber
- Updated: 18 Jun 2025 14:04 CDT
- 5 min read
News
The agent of Benjamin Sesko, Elvis Basanovic, has issued a thinly-veiled dig at Viktor Gyokeres when quizzed on Arsenal's interest in the two strikers.
The Gunners are currently in talks with both Sesko and Gyokeres as they attempt to finally sign a top-class No.9. Discussions with the Slovenian are more advanced, but Sky Germany reported on Tuesday evening that Arsenal have made it clear to Leipzig that they won't pay €100 million for the 22-year-old.
This has given Gyokeres hope that he may get his dream move after all. The Swede is prioritising negotiations with Arsenal, but the North London club have been more focused on Sesko in recent weeks.
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
|
|
ETV |
|
| €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
|
The situation now appears to be completely open again, and it is clear that Gyokeres will not stay at Sporting CP, even if his destination is still uncertain. The 26-year-old's dispute with the Portuguese giants is still raging on.
Gyokeres' camp claims that Sporting assured the player that he would be sold for €70m this summer, but the club insists that a specific asking price was never set, only that it was agreed that they would not demand his €100m release clause be triggered.
Sesko agent on Arsenal talks
Reports in Germany have asserted that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Sesko, but transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has been unable to corroborate these claims, despite interviewing the player's representative, Elvis Basanovic.
Romano quizzed the agent on the ongoing talks with Arsenal and if he is aware that the search for the Gunners' new No.9 is a two-horse race. "I have received many similar questions in the last days," Basanovic began.
"It’s not correct to speak about the names of clubs that are interested in Sesko. But maybe it is right to clarify a few things. Let me tell you: Sesko is not competing with anyone. It’s him vs him every day. We have a clear plan for the future, and media speculation doesn’t affect us.
"Sesko is not just a striker; he is a special striker. His numbers compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words. He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.
Asked whether Sesko is pushing for a move, Basanovic insisted: “This is far from truth! We respect RB Leipzig, and I am 100 per cent convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it. It could be next week, or next year, or in 3 years.”
"Even if there may be - or will be - a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig," Basanovic added, in what appears to be a clear dig at Gyokeres and his camp, who have been accused of 'blackmail' by Sporting.
"I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values, values that you are bringing into a new club. I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests.
"But no matter what, I believe in the football world, there should be more respect. So that’s why we do things in the right way or we don’t do them. It’s very simple, even if maybe in the media it looks very complicated."
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