Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker continues and talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Benjamin Sesko have not yielded much progress, according to reports.
The Gunners were left very short up front last season after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, with midfielder Mikel Merino filling in as a centre-forward.
It is not a situation they want to find themselves in again and a new striker is top of the shopping list at the Emirates.
Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres is of interest, while they made a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in January, but Sesko may now have emerged as the number one choice.
Talks began last month between the English and German clubs, with Leipzig setting out their position of being open to sell but only at around £70m.
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The Evening Standard reports that there have now been fresh talks between the clubs but little has changed, with Leipzig not to be talked down from their £70m valuation of the 22-year-old.
With significant interest in Gyokeres from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Al Hilal, the Swede is likely going to cost a similar amount this summer.
Sesko’s goal-scoring credentials don’t quite match those of Gyokeres, although he has been playing in a very different league, but he does have age on his side.
The Slovenia international only turned 22 last month, while Gyokeres celebrated his 27th birthday this month.
Arsenal also appear to have a much clearer run at Sesko, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea very loosely linked with him, but the race for his signature nowhere near as competitive as that for Gyokeres.
Despite their disastrous season last time round, Manchester United appear to be leading the race to sign Gyokeres.
The Swede has reportedly rejected the idea of moving to the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal and now linking back up with his former boss at Sporting, Ruben Amorim, is a distinct possibilty.
The Red Devils could complete a complete revamp of their forward line, having already confirmed a deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves, while they are also working on a move for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Sesko, then, looks the likelier signing at this point but Arsenal will have to cough up the £70m that RB Leipzig are asking for.
When asked about his future last month, Sesko said: ‘We’ll see what happens. It’s open, anything can happen.’
Expert analysis: Benjamin Sesko
It’s been quite a tough season for Leipzig, which forced them to change coach after a disappointing Champions League campaign. They’ve been struggling, which reflects on his output, but he’s still been one of their best and most consistent players.
Sesko’s strengths are certainly his physicality and speed – he’s great at making dangerous runs in behind defences, but he’s also a very clinical and instinctive finisher, especially when the ball drops to him in the area. His work rate is good and he’s a willing runner off the ball as well.
His hold-up play is quite strong, but I think his link-up play is a side of his game that he can still improve. It’s not that he’s bad at that side of the game, but compared to someone like Havertz, he’s not at that level. In particular, his passing will need to get a lot better in a side like Arsenal.
But during his young career, he’s shown he can take those steps forward. His mentality is definitely a strength – he’s a player who wants to learn and wants to improve so in that sense he will be a quick learner and offers Arsenal something completely different.
Rune Gjerulff, German football expert and editor of Bulinews
from: elfutbolero.us