The prevailing opinion has been that Andrea Berta has favored Sporting Lisbon’s Gyokeres, while ideally, manager Mikel Arteta preferred RB Leipzig’s Sesko.
This doesn’t fully capture the situation, but securing a deal for Gyokeres has always seemed more feasible.
Arsenal appreciates both players and has worked to exert pressure on their respective clubs to maximize the value of any agreement. They have also skillfully kept both parties uncertain about whether an offer would materialize.
This has been the responsibility of sporting director Berta, who sources indicate has been manipulating the two clubs against each other.
One of the main reasons the 22-year-old Sesko was initially prioritized last year was that data analysts identified him as the top candidate. This assessment was not exclusive to Arsenal, as other elite clubs in Europe also recognized his potential. Sources describe how his trajectory positions him as a standout talent.
For Gyokeres, who is five years older, the attraction is different. According to individuals familiar with the pursuit, Arsenal believes his powerful finishing ability with both feet in the penalty area, along with impressive mental drive and composure, are qualities that will add a new dimension to their attack, which very few players worldwide can provide.
With the pre-season tour just two weeks away, Arsenal has concluded they need to act promptly to ensure one of their key positions is secured in time for their Premier League opener against Manchester United in August.
The striker's preferred destinations
When Gyokeres departed Coventry City in 2023, it was unclear whether he would return to English football. Sources maintained it was not a pressing desire.
His aspirations were grand, and his ambition had always been to reach the pinnacle of continental football. After two remarkable seasons at Sporting Lisbon, it is believed that Barcelona topped his personal wishlist.
Sources consistently asserted that if he were to leave Lisbon, it must be for something exceptional.
Now, that exceptional opportunity seems to be Arsenal.
Sesko has not aggressively pursued a departure from Leipzig as Gyokeres has, and the German club has maintained their €80 million release clause for the player.
The business strategies employed by Arsenal suggest that by seemingly pursuing Gyokeres, they have given Leipzig one last opportunity to reduce Sesko’s asking price.
Gyokeres has appeared more attainable throughout the process – despite Sporting seemingly reneging on a gentleman’s agreement from last year to sell him for €60 million.
Nonetheless, Arsenal sources claim Gyokeres will turn out to be a more economical deal than Sesko, with payment terms likely to be more favorable.
The missing piece
Arsenal will exercise caution until a full agreement is finalized at this critical juncture.
In Gyokeres, they are targeting a player who has netted 97 goals in 102 matches since his move to Portugal. The player has been extensively scouted over the past 18 months.
The statistics are hard to overlook and have helped persuade Arsenal that he could be the missing piece. After scoring 22 in his final Championship season with Coventry City, Gyokeres recorded 43 in his first year at Sporting. He then achieved an impressive 54 goals in 52 matches last season. His performance has been consistent, clinical, and elite.
The obvious question is how that form will translate to the Premier League – and whether he can replicate it against the very best defenses.
Internally, figures at Arsenal remain convinced that the club’s title challenge last season fell short solely due to a lack of attacking firepower. That is the burden their next elite striker will be expected to shoulder.
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