Numerous updates on both of Arsenal’s top striker targets for the summer transfer window have emerged. Talks involving Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been ongoing over the last month – but there is still no clear indication either arriving is close.
Signing an elite-level No.9 is one of many aims for Andrea Berta ahead of the 2025/26 season. Mikel Arteta has since since discovered his side will face Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the campaign.
Having a new forward in place for that game and the nine months following will be entirely crucial to the Gunners achieving their aim of winning silverware. Two major updates have suggested that Sesko being the one to join has increased drastically, but no final decision has been made just yet.
With all of that being said, football.london has taken a closer look at the latest updates on the two strikers being targeted by Arsenal.
Gyokeres rejects meeting
Having fallen out rather publicly with Sporting CP officials, it looks as though Gyokeres has no plans to mend the relationships behind closed doors.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Gyokeres’ representatives turned down the chance to hold clear-the-air talks with club chiefs.
football.london says: This is turning into quite an ugly situation for all involved – if that wasn’t the case already. With his feelings made perfectly clear, Gyokeres clearly still wants to depart Lisbon and the latest update means it is vital he does.
Unfortunately, despite so many clubs looking for a striker, he has no obvious destination – with Liverpool and Chelsea focused on younger or Premier League proven alternatives.
Arsenal are still in for him, but that could change very soon with links to Sesko already ramping up. Gyokeres may soon have to rethink his priorities or be forced to face a very awkward conversation at Sporting.
Sesko agreement update
In the past 24 hours, conflicting reports have emerged on Sesko agreeing personal terms with Arsenal. German outlet Bild had revealed that an agreement had been struck up – with negotiations over a fee set to come next.
However, Slovenian website Ekipa have claimed that, after speaking to sources close to Sesko, news of any agreement is premature and ultimately ‘fake’.
His agent, Elvis Basanovic, then broke his silence, but did not mention the apparent agreement. He did drop a rather subtle exit hint, though.
football.london says: The variety of updates and claims being made is mostly just classic transfer window rumours. There are of course elements of truth to each new report with talks certainly ongoing between the Gunners and RB Leipzig.
The initial agreement update has not had much of a follow-up, however, which certainly suggests it was wide of the mark. Nonetheless, that could come relatively soon given all the Gyokeres chaos and the fact that Sesko does want to join Arsenal while the German club are hoping to sell early into the window.
Arteta also wants to seal some signings in time for pre-season and Sesko appears to be the closest target to follow Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga in agreeing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
