Arsenal’s search for a new striker has taken a new turn. This comes after the club apparently elected to back out of the running for Viktor Gyokeres. Even putting in a £59 million offer, the Gunners had been in serious discussions with Sporting CP earlier this week. Recent events imply, though, Mikel Arteta has ruled out the Sweden international for now.
Arsenal have instead supposedly concentrated their whole attention on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Sesko is now regarded as their primary target to improve their attack for the 2025–26 campaign.
The North London club’s interest in Gyokeres was no secret. Given that both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were sidelined during the second half of the 2024/25 season, a dependable No. 9 grew more desperate. Ultimately costing Arsenal momentum in both Premier League and Europe, their inability to capitalize on important chances in tight games
Reports from Spain claim Arteta has now ruled out a transfer for Gyokeres personally after talks with the Sporting CP hierarchy failed to make notable headway. Following their national title victory, Sporting’s vice-president, Francisco Salgado Zenha, repeated the team’s commitment to keep their main players and sustain a robust roster. “We want to keep the best players and retain talent,” he said, implicitly commenting on Arsenal’s pursuit.
By dropping out of the Gyokeres hunt, Arsenal also eliminates a major competitor for Barcelona, who is supposed to have long-running interest in the striker. Chelsea and Manchester United keep an eye from afar as well.
Arsenal still haven’t given up on their striker search even if they have stepped back from Gyokeres. Arsenal striker transfer update reports currently show that negotiations with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko have speed. According to reports, Andrea Berta has already met in London with Leipzig representatives to explore a possible compensation plan.
Arsenal are considering all possibilities to guarantee financial viability while adding proven firepower up front, since Sesko’s release clause is said to be beyond €80 million (£68 million).
Plettenberg also mentioned that Gyokeres is “high on the list,”. It implied that the Gunners might reconsider the possibility if negotiations with Sesko failed. Sesko appears to be the chosen option for now, though.
🚨 @FabrizioRomano: “Benjamin Sesko will leave Leipzig this summer, that’s the expectation. Last week, Arsenal had the first concrete talks for Sesko. Arsenal spoke to Leipzig & had conversations with the agent of the player.”
“Arsenal started to understand the whole situation… pic.twitter.com/hkhxhJoBe8
Arsenal are also balancing an extremely tense situation about one of their brightest young prospects while strikers take the headlines. Yet to agree fresh terms is Miles Lewis-Skelly, who last year cracked into the first team and developed under Arteta. The Gunners are exposed to attention from top European teams when his present deal expires next summer.
🚨 Real Madrid have been alerted to the potential availability of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The 18-year-old has just one year left on his Arsenal contract and negotiations over an extension are “not going well”.
(Source: Guardian) pic.twitter.com/4hSwHNDP4O
Journalist Jonathan Wilson claimed that Real Madrid are “sniffing around” and verified that contract discussions are not going well. This advancement creates pressure on the club to act swiftly or risk losing a homegrown star whose left-back performances have earned accolades all through the Premier League.
How Arsenal deals with Lewis-Skelly’s situation will be very important. The teenager is regarded as the long-term solution for the team in the position as Kieran Tierney left and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future is unknown. Not tying him down would throw Arteta’s defensive strategy coming into the upcoming season.
This recent Arsenal striker transfer update shows the sophistication and aspiration the Gunners have during their summer. Though it may surprise fans, withdrawing from the Gyokeres race indicates a change in priority toward ensuring the best value and fit in Benjamin Sesko. Off-pitch issues like the Lewis-Skelly contract scenario, though, could be as significant. Ensuring Arsenal keep their emerging stars could be just as vital as signing big-money players as they try to improve their team.
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