Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres (Photo by Maja Hitij, Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Arsenal are now widely reported as advancing in talks to sign Sporting Lisbon and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, so what happened with Benjamin Sesko?
The Gunners were also really keen on signing Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer, with new sporting director Andrea Berta negotiating both deals at once.
Now, however, it seems Arsenal have decided to press ahead with Gyokeres as their priority, according to the Athletic and others.
Benjamin Sesko too expensive for Arsenal
Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Leipzig’s demands were simply too high, with the club refusing to back down from an asking price of €90m, as first reported by Hand of Arsenal below…
For the last 2 weeks Marcel Schäfer (DoF) for RB Leipzig refused to negotiate lower than €90 million.
The mission then became very clear.
Arsenal now trying to close a deal for Viktor Gyökeres. Talks ongoing over the structure of the fee and add ons.
— HandöfArsenal (@HandofArsenal) July 6, 2025
This also ties in with what CaughtOffside‘s John Menzies reported alongside Buchi Laba recently, while we were also told a few weeks ago that Arsenal were prepared to walk away from Sesko talks.
The Slovenia international had big admirers inside Arsenal, and it was long reported that he was the club’s first choice, though other sources have played this down, pointing to Berta’s clear desire to keep Gyokeres talks alive as well.
Benjamin Sesko likely to have other options
Sesko is still expected to leave Leipzig this summer after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The 22-year-old also has interest from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, as previously reported by CaughtOffside.
Christian Falk, meanwhile, recently informed us that Sesko had interest from the Saudi Pro League, but was advised by his national team manager against going there right now.
Falk also confirmed Man United’s interest in Sesko, so that could now be one to watch as Arsenal instead focus on Gyokeres.
United need a new striker this summer and the Athletic have also named Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as someone on their radar, with initial talks taking place.
Sesko, however, might make more sense as a long-term investment, even if Watkins has the advantage of being proven in the Premier League.
CaughtOffside understands Chelsea also previously showed an interest in Sesko, but they have now signed both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro as new strikers this summer.
