Forget Benjamin Sesko, Mikel Arteta simply has to seal Viktor Gyokeres transfer after what Sporting have just done

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Arsenal are still yet to make a decision on whether to sign Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners’ priority is adding a striker to Mikel Arteta’s ranks, and the aforementioned two have been nominated as the primary candidates.

Reports emerged on Friday suggesting that Arsenal will turn their attention to Hugo Ekitike after becoming frustrated by the situations surrounding the Sesko and Gyokeres deals.

It was suggested that both RB Leipzig and Sporting CP are unwilling to lower their price tags for the strikers, both of which stand at roughly £67 million.

However, the latest update on this front should prompt the North Londoners in the direction of Gyokeres.

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Sporting lower Viktor Gyokeres price to £51-60m

Arsenal appeared to be leaning towards Sesko a week or so ago, when the indications were that the Gunners were accelerating talks to sign the Slovenian.

However, with rumours of discontent from the player’s camp, as well as from Arsenal over the price and mooted Saudi interest, the deal has seemingly stalled.

Now, the Gyokeres deal could be back on for the Gunners, particularly after Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reported on Friday night that Sporting have assured Gyokeres that he will be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of €60–70 million (£51-60 million).

This comes after it was revealed that Gyokeres went on strike as he believed Sporting had broken the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ the two parties had regarding his prospective transfer this summer.

The Swede reportedly felt he had a mutual understanding with the Lisbon club that they’d sell him for well below his purported £85 million release clause, and closer to the £60 million mark.

However, after some public posturing, it appears that Sporting are set to honour this supposed agreement.

Arsenal must sign Viktor Gyokeres for this price

While Sesko might be the more exciting long-term talent, Gyokeres is more likely to offer Arsenal more next season.

At £67 million, the 22-year-old Leipzig star is simply too big a risk for the Gunners to take, given he only netted 13 goals in an open Bundesliga last season.

Sesko could develop into something special, but it’s also very plausible that he doesn’t harness his physical gifts and ultimately doesn’t develop into a striker good enough for Arsenal.

Meanwhile, the risk on Gyokeres is mitigated by a potential £51 million price tag, which may also allow Arsenal to invest more heavily into a left-wing signing, like Rodrygo.

While the 27-year-old is unlikely to develop into a superstar, his goal-scoring record in Portugal is staggering, and probably suggests he’d at the very least be a productive contributor at the Emirates.

If Arsenal can secure a fee towards the lower end of the reported range for Gyokeres, then it’s a no-brainer if Leipzig remain firm on Sesko’s price.