‘Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal boosted after Benjamin Sesko demands surprise clause’
Benjamin Sesko’s surprise demands may play into Viktor Gyokeres’ favour as the Swedish striker looks to push through a move to Arsenal.
If there is one thing that became apparent last season, it was Mikel Arteta’s desperate need for a new striker this transfer window.
Mikel Merino proved a serviceable replacement after Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus suffered significant injuries, but serviceable does not win you titles or trophies, as the Gunners found out.
Several options have been identified, and Pete O’Rourke revealed to Football Insider in May that Arsenal had been given the green light to sign Gyokeres.
But that deal is proving difficult to get done, as neither Sporting CP nor the striker’s agent can agree on a fee that would be acceptable [MailOnline].
Alternatively, Arsenal could move for RB Leipzig striker Sesko, who is Arteta‘s preferred player to fill the position.
However, according to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfers Podcast, a strange demand from the Slovenian striker may push the Gunners towards signing Gyokeres.
Benjamin Sesko wants low release clause in Arsenal contract
When asked by host Ronan Murphy about Sesko potentially making the move to the Emirates, Castles revealed the 22-year-old striker had made an “unusual” request.
He said (19 June, 29.49mins): “A little bit of extra information I picked up on Benjamin Sesko, which could work in Viktor Gyokeres’ favour [in securing a move to Arsenal].
“I understand that Sesko is asking for an exit clause on any deal he agrees with Arsenal and he would like that release clause to be set at just 20% premium on whatever price Arsenal end up paying Leipzig for the striker, which is quite unusual to ask for something like that.”
According to Sky Sports, the striker’s release clause is currently at £62million, meaning the exit clause Sesko wants from Arsenal would be around £74.4m.
Viktor Gyokeres should be Arsenal’s priority signing
Football Insider Verdict
Gyokeres has scored at a frightening rate since moving to Portugal’s capital, netting 52 times in 49 appearances last season, and scoring 97 in 102 games during his entire time with Sporting.
The naysayers will point to the fact that Liga Portugal is not a top-five league in Europe and that Porto and Benfica are in their weakest states in decades.
They are not wrong, but you only have to delve into his European goal-scoring numbers, six in eight in the Champions League this year, five in nine in the Europa League last season, to see that no matter the opposition or circumstance, Gyokeres scores goals.
It’s what Arsenal need most. Havertz has shown that for as useful as it is to have a player with good link-up play, goals win games, and goals win titles.
Sesko is a fine forward in his own right, but the 22-year-old took time to adjust to the Bundesliga and is yet to truly develop into the lethal goal-getter that Gyokeres is now.
With time running out and patience running thin, Arteta is in need of a sure thing, a proven talent in his prime, and Sporting’s extraordinary number nine is exactly that.