PERSONAL TERMS AGREED: Arsenal finally completes the deal to sign a striker rated above Erling Haaland
Arsenal are poised to sign a new striker during this summer’s transfer window.
The Gunners netted only 69 goals in the Premier League last season. They scored 22 fewer goals than the previous top-flight campaign.
The lack of a marquee striker has hampered Arsenal. The hierarchy are expected to address the concern when the transfer window reopens.
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, RB Leipzig have indeed started negotiations with Arsenal regarding the potential transfer of Benjamin Sesko.
However, Arsenal are aiming to make progress on several fronts simultaneously to ‘avoid being left empty-handed if talks were to break down’.
The Gunners have yet to find an agreement on personal terms with Sesko, but Viktor Gyokeres has already given his ‘verbal agreement’ to join the club.
Arsenal have identified Gyokeres as Sesko alternative
Mikel Arteta’s side are long-term admirers of Sesko. They wanted to sign him from Leipzig last summer, but he ended up penning a new contract at the German outfit.
The Gunners have revived their pursuit of the 21-year-old, who netted 21 goals for his club last term.
His tally is not exceptional, but he has immense potential. Sesko can provide an X-factor with his ability to score long-range goals.
Leipzig are prepared to sell for his release clause worth £67 million, but Arsenal will want to negotiate a long-term payment plan.
In that way, they can save funds to spend on more marquee signings without the burden of breaching the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Arsenal also need to finalise terms with the player for a transfer to materialise.
If Sesko were to snub them, it appears Gyokeres would be the fall-back option.
Sporting director Andrea Berta is a big admirer of the Swede, who netted a staggering 54 goals for Sporting CP last campaign.
Despite his big figures, there are some doubts whether he can adapt and prove his credentials in the Premier League, given he will turn 27 on June 4.
Gyokeres won’t have the luxury of regular counter-attacks at Arsenal. He will need to find ways of scoring against low defensive blocks.
Sporting CP are prepared to sell Gyokeres for £59m. The Gunners could swoop for him if Sesko were turn them down for the second year running.
