HERE WE GO: Gyokeres joins Arsenal, Rodrygo agree personal terms, Thomas Partey agree to join Barcelona and Lewis-Skelly latest
It is practically indisputable that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Mikel Arteta’s side have now been handed the chance to get one over on arch rivals Tottenham by signing a key target of Thomas Frank’s side.
Arsenal make contact to sign trophy-laden £400k-per-week ex-Man City star
New sporting director Andrea Berta is currently busy attempting to negotiate agreeable terms on a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but find themselves some way off the Bundesliga side’s asking price of around £68-85 million, according to Sky Germany’s (Florian Plettenberg).
Arsenal negotiations for Sesko have been ongoing since late May, but if a deal cannot be struck for the Slovenia international, Berta does have other reported striker targets on his shortlist.
Arsenal have also worked on a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is currently keen on a move to north London and open to joining other high-profile Premier League suitors like Man United.
“Viktor Gyökeres prefers a move to the Premier League, and would welcome an Arsenal bid,” reported Ben Jacobs on X recently.
“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres. Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.
“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time, with a bid for one of the two targets expected soon.”
Either centre-forward would be an upgrade on Arteta’s current options. Sesko is fresh off a career-best Bundesliga campaign at Leipzig, while Gyokeres has just guided Sporting to their first domestic double in 20 years after scoring 54 goals in all competitions.
However, Arsenal now also have a new left-field option.
Arsenal offered Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat
According to website Just Arsenal, Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat has been put forward to Arteta’s side.
Vanat scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, helping Kyiv to lift the Ukranian Premier League title whilst ending the season unbeaten. He also finished 2024/2025 as the division’s top scorer with 17, and this has attracted some attention from England.
It is now believed that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Vanat, who has a reported £17 million release clause in his contract. Arteta doesn’t view the 23-year-old’s signing as an urgent need right now, but is fully aware of Vanat’s quality, so it’s apparently a situation they could revisit later in the window.
However, if they do decide they want him, Arsenal will need to be wary of rival interest. Manchester United, Leeds United, Everton, and Tottenham are all keen on Vanat, with the latter even viewing him as a “priority signing” for new manager Frank.
