One of Arsenal’s transfer pursuits has hit a wall as Andrea Berta’s hunt for a striker goes on.
Berta has 12 names on his attacking shortlist under consideration at Arsenal, with the sporting director aiming to deliver a striker to Mikel Arteta.
As the summer transfer window progresses, it’s become more and more evident that there are three names leading Arsenal’s shortlist: Viktor Gyokeres, Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
Though the latter was thought to be the preference, Arsenal’s pursuit of Sesko has now taken an ugly turn.
Arsenal hit stumbling block in Benjamin Sesko transfer
Weeks ago, Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg claimed that he was ‘totally convinced’ that Arsenal would sign Sesko.
The journalist’s bold prediction might leave him red-faced, as the latest development in the transfer saga paints a largely different picture.
As explained by journalist Alan Nixon, via The Sun, despite Arteta wanting Sesko and being open to paying the £70m asking price, talks have ‘stalled’.
It’s understood that Sesko’s representatives are on the hunt for a contract ‘much higher’ than Arsenal had planned to pay, which could symbolise a ‘change of direction’ in the transfer search.
Such could prompt Arsenal to pay more attention to Gyokeres, or another target, with the race still wide open.
While some might consider it a blow, as the 22-year-old is highly rated, the situation only indicates how Berta works as the Gunners’ newly appointed sporting director.
Early indication of Andrea Berta’s way of working
Berta has negotiated some huge deals in world football, being at the forefront of one of Europe’s most expensive transfers of all time.
When the Italian lured Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £113m, it was a club-record breaking fee, but not one that was conducted flippantly.
Felix arrived as one of the biggest jewels in European football, and was offered a tantalising package of a £12m annual salary, which, while being large, did not impact Atleti’s wage structure, or overturn the hierarchy within the squad.
The transfer fee was huge, but his contract agreement was one that, while representing the player’s worth, did not make him the highest-paid figure in the squad.
Berta’s method hasn’t changed just because he’s moved clubs, with the deal demanded by Sesko’s agents clearly not one that the sporting director sees as feasible.
It’s a blow if the transfer hangs on salary, but might be a dodged bullet in terms of how Arsenal’s wage structure is upheld.
Only time will tell what impact the wage package has on Sesko, or any other target’s move to the Emirates, with Berta appearing to be standing strong for the good of the club’s future.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
