David Ornstein hints that Arsenal have changed their mind about £67,000,000 striker target in transfer U-turn

Add as preferred source on Google

With the season effectively over, Arsenal are stepping up their transfer pursuit of a striker.

The Gunners have two games remaining in the Premier League, at home to Newcastle and away to Southampton, with two points from these fixtures guaranteeing a top-five finish.

Understandably, attentions have turned towards next season, as the North London club prepares for a busy summer.

Adding a striker is the priority for Arsenal, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko all on their radar.

• READ MORE: Step aside Viktor Gyokeres, Andrea Berta now wants to sign ‘outstanding’ free agent striker to save £63,000,000 in transfer switch

Arsenal have reservations about Benjamin Sesko

Gyokeres has emerged as the most likely Arsenal striker signing in the last few weeks, and this could be a result of Andrea Berta’s reservations about Sesko.

Sesko has long been on Arsenal’s shortlist, and it’s understood that the Emirates hierarchy have done significant groundwork on a potential deal for the RB Leipzig man.

However, journalist David Ornstein has hinted that the Gunners may move away from Sesko due to concerns about the prospective price and the player himself.

“Then they look at the likes of Benjamin Sesko,” Ornstein said on NBC Sports Soccer.

“They’ve done a lot of work on him, but I do think they have some reservations around him, maybe on the price, maybe on the player. Let’s see. He remains in the mix.”

Reports emerged last week that Sesko’s release clause is now £67 million, which is certainly a hefty outlay for a player with his portfolio.

Arsenal are right to move away from Benjamin Sesko

While a talented youngster, Sesko isn’t yet producing the level of output that suggests he’s certain to develop into the world class striker you’d hope you’re getting for £68 million.

Blessed with some outstanding raw attributes, such as his ball-striking capabilities and exceptional physicality, he’s not able to generate the volume of shots or quality of chances that indicates that he’ll be an elite goal-scorer.

Of course, he can improve and certainly become something special, but it’s no guarantee, and a huge risk at the prospective price tag.

Arsenal need to make a lower risk signing at this point in their project, someone whose ceiling may not be as high but whose floor is much higher and is ready to make an instant impact.

Gyokeres fits the bill, whereas Sesko is more of a punt project addition, which shouldn’t cost £67 million.