Arsenal plan to sign Viktor Gyokeres as alternative to Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal are considering signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer as an alternative to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko but face paying a huge sum. according to The Sun.
Sesko revealed that he will stay with Die Roten Bullen for another season, forcing the Gunners to consider signing the Swedish striker. However, landing Gyokeres won't be easy either due to his £85million release clause.
The paper says Arsenal want to negotiate a fee in the range of £50m to £60m, but Sporting are unwilling to let their star striker leave for less than his release fee.
And while the Portuguese giants are “prepared to raise funds”, the report claims they are under no pressure to sell Gyokeres for cheap as they will sanction the “sale of other players” in the team, including Ousmane Diamonde and Gonzalo Inácio.
Mikel ArtetaThe team has not yet entered into concrete talks with Sporting Lisbon or Gyokeres' representatives, but is “facing more frustration” in its search for a striker.
Arsenal unlikely to spend £85m on Gyokeres
It is true that Viktor Gyokeres has enjoyed a phenomenal season, having scored 43 goals for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions last season. However, Arsenal are unlikely to spend that much on a player who has only really had one great campaign under his belt.
Furthermore, at 26, Gyokeres is five years older than Sesko and does not provide Arsenal with as much longevity as signing the Slovenian striker would have given them.
Having already canceled the purchase of Victor Osimhen from Napoli due to a £110m release clause, it would not be surprising to see the Gunners end their pursuit of Gyokeres due to a price well above their budget.
Although there is a long transfer Ahead, Arsenal's options for the striker position have already narrowed and a £34m signing of Joshua Zirkzee looks the most realistic option.
They could have an advantage in the race for the Bologna striker, since Kia Joorabchian, his agent, is a friend of Edu, Arsenal's sporting director, and has been previously reported he would prefer to move his client to north London.
