3 Shocking Reasons Arsenal Ditched Benjamin Sesko to Pursue Viktor Gyokeres

The Gunners were forced into a clear decision between two strikers as transfer demands and player ambitions shaped their summer plans.

Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been at the centre of Arsenal’s hunt for an elite No.9 this summer, as Mikel Arteta’s side look to finally bridge the gap from perennial runners-up to Premier League champions.

The Gunners have already strengthened with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal and Martin Zubimendi in midfield but it is widely accepted that the striker position will define whether the title returns to the Emirates.

For months, the choice appeared to rest between Sporting CP’s Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Sesko. On paper, Sesko seemed the younger, high-upside option, but Gyokeres’ phenomenal form – scoring 54 goals last season – was impossible to ignore, even if it came in the less celebrated Portuguese top flight.

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But ultimately, the decision was made clearer by RB Leipzig’s unwavering stance on their prized Slovenian.

According to HandofArsenal, Leipzig director of football Marcel Schafer “refused to negotiate” under €90million (£77.7m). As sources revealed, that’s when Arsenal’s “mission then became very clear.”

From that point, Edu Gaspar and Arteta pivoted decisively to Gyokeres, with talks rapidly accelerating over the structure of a deal and add-ons that could finally secure the Sweden international’s signature.

Sesko’s €90m Price Tag Proved a Hard Stop

The first major factor in Arsenal dropping Sesko was simple economics. Leipzig’s firm insistence on a €90million fee left no room for compromise, especially as Arsenal have already committed significant resources to other areas of the squad.

While Gyokeres’ release clause is not drastically cheaper at €100million, insiders suggest Sporting were far more open to creative payment terms that would allow Arsenal to spread the cost over multiple years. In contrast, Leipzig showed no such flexibility.

Indeed, the Gunners had been prepared to go as high as €70million (£60.4m) for Sesko, but once Schafer made it clear there would be “no negotiation,” the club considered the pursuit an impractical drain on time and resources.

This clarity accelerated their “mission” to secure Gyokeres, whom they believe is equally capable of leading the line and delivering the clinical edge missing last season.

Gyokeres’ Explosive Output and Immediate Impact

While some doubted whether Gyokeres’ numbers in Portugal would translate to the Premier League, Arsenal’s recruitment team were reportedly convinced that his goalscoring exploits far outstripped anything Sesko has produced so far.

The 26-year-old’s tally of 54 goals dwarfed Sesko’s 21, and his all-action style is seen as a better fit for Arteta’s pressing system.

As one insider told HandofArsenal, Gyokeres’ output “simply could not be ignored,” especially for a side that struggled to put away chances in big matches.

Furthermore, David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano confirmed the player has already agreed personal terms.

Romano added: “He only wants to go to Arsenal and he will not show up for training anymore,” after Sporting reneged on a previous understanding to let him leave for a total package of €70million.

Player Desire and Timeline Aligned Perfectly

The final reason Arsenal shifted decisively to Gyokeres was the striker’s determination to join. As Romano noted, Gyokeres is now refusing to train to force through the move.

That level of commitment, combined with the club’s urgent need to secure a No.9 before pre-season, made the choice inevitable.

Sesko, by contrast, was prepared to wait until later in the window, a timeline that did not suit the Gunners.