Arsenal now pull plug on £60m striker signing after Mikel Arteta decision

Arsenal's search for a striker is set to dominate headlines as we enter the first mini-summer transfer window, and it's an area of the squad which sporting director Andrea Berta is working hard to address.

Arsenal in ongoing talks for Benjamin Sesko in search of striker

Gabriel Jesus' ACL rupture in their FA Cup defeat to Man United, and Kai Havertz's lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, crippled Mikel Arteta's options up front during the second half of 2024/2025, prompting the Spaniard to utilise Mikel Merino in an emergency striker role.

Related Arsenal given fresh Martin Zubimendi worry as Sociedad president speaks out The north Londoners are reportedly closing in on a deal for him.

Merino performed well, but that injury crisis up front brought yet more attention to Arteta's glaring need for a prolific centre-forward.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings 19/20 - winter £0 20/21 - summer £81.5m 20/21 - winter £900k 21/22 - summer £156.8m 21/22 - winter £1.8m 22/23 - summer £121.5m 22/23 - winter £59m 23/24 - summer £208m 23/24 - winter £0 24/25 - summer £101.5m 24/25 - winter £0

A proven number nine has long been touted as the final missing piece of Arteta's jigsaw, and Berta is said to be laying the groundwork on deals to bring Arsenal's long search for a new striker to an end this summer.

Arsenal have held talks over signing Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, according to some reports, and they were heavily linked with a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, until this week at least.

Now, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko has entered pole position to become Arsenal's answer to their goalscoring woes, and "concrete" talks are underway after Berta's meeting with Leipzig director Marcel Schafer in London.

The Gunners are said to be putting their focus on a deal for Sesko, and discussions are centered around a payment structure for his £67 million release clause.

While Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg claims Gyokeres is still high on Arsenal's list despite these Sesko talks, Spanish media sources claim their negotiations for the Slovenian have put an end to their chase for Sporting's serial goalscorer.

Arsenal pull plug on Viktor Gyokeres deal after opening Sesko talks

According to reports from Spain, cited by Football 365, Arteta has now 'ruled out' an Arsenal move for Gyokeres, and they've now 'withdrawn from the bidding' to sign him - which could open the door for other linked sides like Man United and Barcelona.

This follows their decision to up the ante in pursuit of Sesko, so going by this update, it appears the 22-year-old is now their priority target.

Given the costs involved when it comes to a deal for Sesko, we wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal pull a U-turn on this call, especially considering that Gyokeres could leave Sporting for just £60 million.

The "quality" ex-Coventry City star is fresh off the back of an exceptional campaign, scoring 54 goals in all competitions, and there are reports in Portugal that Arsenal have already offered Gyokeres a contract, so he could just be on the back-burner for now.

"I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games," said Sporting boss Rui Borges about Gyokeres.

"The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal."

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