Latest news with #Sesko
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal reaches crucial stage with final calls for transfer
Viktor Gyokeres is looking to depart Sporting CP this summer with interest from Arsenal and Juventus amid the striker's row with his current club over the fee for his signature Juventus have reached out to Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres' representatives, in order to better understand the forward's transfer position amid his fallout with his current club. The Swede is top of the Italian side's shortlist as general manager Damien Comolli attempts to sign a striker. Gyokeres is currently in conflict with Sporting and believes the club are reneging on an agreement to sell him for €60million plus €10m in add-ons (£51m plus £8.5m). Instead the Portuguese giants are holding out for €80m (£68m). Juventus could yet find that Arsenal could prove the biggest obstacle in securing a deal for the goalscorer, who bagged 54 goals in 52 appearances. Gyokeres is currently on holiday amidst the row, but the Gunners are reported to have a basic understanding with Cetinkaya. The Serie A giants were ready to offer Gyokeres a stunning £11m-per-year deal to try and persuade Gyokeres to head to Turin. However, Corriere dello Sport claim the Italian side have been informed that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer. Gyokeres may not yet get his own way however, with the Gunners also eyeing a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The north London side have long targeted the Slovenian forward and look set to act upon that this summer. Sesko is understood to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal, and the Bundesliga side are prepared to sell the forward after missing out on Champions League qualification. But Leipzig are only prepared to part ways if they receive a fee north of £60m. Sesko was linked with a transfer to Arsenal in 2024 as well, only to sign a new contract instead. That deal runs until 2029 as the Gunners attempt to come to an agreement. Mirror Football understands that, of the two strikers, Sesko is Mikel Arteta's preferred option. Arsenal's progress with Sesko could make or break Juventus' move for Gyokeres. As a result, the Old Lady is waiting before moving on to their plan b in case they find themselves in pole position. Juve's back-up is said to be a move for Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria international is expected to departed Napoli this summer after failing to get a permanent move last summer, when he moved on loan to Galatasaray. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal to break seven-year transfer rule for Benjamin Sesko after £60m deal
Arsenal are interested in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and are taking a different approach to the transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to solve his side's problems in attack Arsenal have taken a specific approach to their transfer dealings since Mikel Arteta took over as Gunners boss. The club targeting RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko would represent a departure from Arsenal's usual tactics as they look to sign a player from the Bundesliga for the first time since 2018. The Gunners may have bought players from across Europe and even the Brazilian market in recent years, but the Premier League has remained the preferred shopping destination. From Aaron Ramsdale to Ben White, Arsenal have often turned to players with experience in England. That is because Premier League proven players are a known quantity and are more likely to succeed if they are already performing well in the top-flight. Predicting the success of players changing country and league style is a trickier task. There's a general consensus that those from La Liga will fare well. Meanwhile, Arsenal have primarily targeted defenders from Serie A. Ligue 1 is full of young talent and South America is a similar treasure trove of promising players. However, Arsenal have chosen to steer clear of signing players from Germany. Arsenal's squad is a blend of academy players and a strong Premier League core - White and Declan Rice have elevated their game, while Kai Havertz has adapted well. Even Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus played their roles expertly for 12 to 18 months after arriving from Manchester City. New additions to the league have come in the form of Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard from either side of Madrid, as well as centre-back partnership Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba signing from French clubs. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu caught the eye in Serie A before making their moves to north London. However, Arsenal have not signed a first team player from the Bundesliga since 2018. A move for Sesko could change that. Arsenal missed out on deal for the striker months ago ahead of the Euros and his stock has continued to rise, as has his price. The last players to join the club from Germany were Benrd Leno and Sokratis seven summers ago, but the move for Sesko is more akin to Arsenal's £60million move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier that year. Aubameyang proved successful but had already established himself on the elite stage, unlike Sesko. He had netted 13, 16, 25, and then 31 Bundesliga goals in his four full seasons at Borussia Dortmund before departing with a record of 13 in 16. Aubameyang also had a Champions League record to brag about and was considerably older than Sesko, being in his mid-20s. Sesko, on the other hand, is still relatively young compared to Aubameyang. There's an eagerness to tap into his raw potential before it fully blossoms, but this approach carries its own risks. Now 22, Sesko put together another impressive scoring season in Germany and showed exactly why he has attracted interest from elsewhere. However, there are concerns about how Sesko might adjust to England. When the striker could prove pivotal to Arsenal's title hopes, there are various factors to consider. Given the success of players moving from Germany to England, it's understandable why there is caution. Havertz's move to Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 is a prime example. Initially, opposition players and his own manager pushed him around the pitch in search of the perfect position. Havertz eventually settled into the role of a striker. Arsenal had hopes of converting him back into an attacking No.8 from midfield, but he has been forced to cover up front instead, a job he now performs well. He bulked up, lost some of his flair, and is now a functional target man at times. He's strong in the air but lacks the finesse he initially brought with him. Sesko probably wouldn't have to make such a drastic change as he is already a striker, but there will be a period of adaptation. Both Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku signed for Chelsea from RB Leipzig and struggled to hit the mark for various reasons. Dominik Szoboszlai has had more luck at Liverpool but plays in a deeper role. Arsenal seem determined to do something they haven't done for seven years in their attempt to purchase Sesko from the Bundesliga. Before the signing of Aubameyang, Arsenal's last transfers from Germany were Lukas Podolski in 2012 and Per Mertesacker the year before. Arsenal have a peculiar relationship with Bundesliga players, but they hope Sesko can rekindle the spark. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Sesko's agent moves to 'clarify a few things' amid Arsenal 'agreement'
Slovenia and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is one of the most in-demand strikers this summer and his agent has spoken about the future of the Arsenal-linked frontman Benjamin Sesko's agent Elvis Basanovic has denied putting any pressure on RB Leipzig to lower their asking price for the striker. Sesko is understood to have agreed personal terms with Premier League side Arsenal, but the Gunners still have work to do. Leipzig are prepared to sell Sesko after missing out on Champions League qualification, but only if they receive a hefty fee - thought to be north of £60million. Basanovic believes all will become clear in due course, but moved to "clarify" the situation and insisted he wouldn't push for a lower fee out of respect for the Bundesliga side. 'This is far from truth!" he told Givemesport when asked about rumours of leaning on Leipzig over their asking price "We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100% convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it." He addedL "Even if there may be - or will be - a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club. "I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect. So that's why we do things in the right way or we don't do them. It's very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated." Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season, with 13 of those coming in the Bundesliga. That was enough for him to finish the season as his team's top scorer, but a late-season collapse saw their European hopes go up in smoke. With five games to go, Leipzig sat in the fourth and final Champions League qualification place. They won none of those last five, though, and that saw them miss out on European qualification altogether. Sesko was linked with an Arsenal switch in the summer of 2024 as well, only to instead sign a new contract at his current club. That deal runs until 2029, though he could yet leave sooner. "We have a team with great potential and a balanced mix of young and experienced players. I'm really looking forward to taking the next steps with this team," Sesko said when his extension was confirmed. "We've already achieved a lot in my first season and often shown the amount of quality and outstanding football we can bring to the pitch. But there's still a lot more to be done and that's now our common goal." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Benjamin Sesko's agent sends message to Arsenal and Man Utd over transfer
Benjamin Sesko is ready to join a 'special club' this summer but the Arsenal target will not attempt to force his way out of RB Leipzig. The Gunners have made the Slovenia international and Sporting CP Star Viktor Gyokeres their top targets this summer as they seek to bring in a striker to lead Mikel Arteta's attack next season. Deals for both players are being explored with reports in Portugal claiming Arsenal have already seen an offer of €60million plus €10m in add-ons rejected for Gyokeres. Talks to bring Sesko to north London have been held but there has been no official bid for the 22-year-old, with Leipzig valuing him at between €80million and €100million. Gyokeres' relationship with Sporting has turned toxic over the last 10 days with the Sweden international determined to leave the club by any means necessary. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. The situation with Sesko is more serene by comparison with his agent Elvis Basanovic insisting there will be no attempts to engineer a move away from Leipzig. Asked about rumours he is pressing Leipzig to lower their demands, Basanovic told Give Me Sport: 'This is far from truth! We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100% convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it. 'Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig. 'I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club. 'I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect. 'So that's why we do things in the right way or we don't do them. It's very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.' Basanovic even suggested Sesko could choose to remain in Germany if the right club does not come forward with the right offer this summer. 'Well, his numbers at his age compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words. He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.' Asked when a move could happen, he added: 'It can be next week… or next year, or in three years.' More Trending Manchester United also have long-standing interest in Sesko with Ruben Amorim eager to sign a striker this summer. Liam Delap rejected a move to Old Trafford to instead join Chelsea with Gyokeres' repreenatives also informing United he is not interested in a move. It remains to be seen whether Sesko would consider the red half of Manchester given the lack of European football on offer next season., MORE: Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund told to reject £38m transfer and join rival Premier League club MORE: Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes decision over Real Madrid transfer MORE: Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk charged by FA for doping and faces four-year ban
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal reach Benjamin Sesko 'agreement' after Viktor Gyokeres transfer decision
Arsenal are looking to add a top striker to their ranks this summer and it seems as though they've finally decided who to sign out of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal have reached an agreement with Benjamin Sesko over personal terms as they move closer to a deal for the RB Leipzig star in their search for a new striker. The Gunners will sign a new No.9 this summer in a bid to finally win the Premier League title again and have identified Sesko, 22, as one of their top attacking targets. And although Sesko is expected to leave Leipzig this summer, Arsenal have also considered other players ahead of the transfer window. Viktor Gyokeres, 27, is another player liked by Arsenal but talks over a deal for the Sporting Lisbon star are understood to be 'on ice' for now. And it has now been claimed by German outlet Sport Bild that Arsenal and Sesko have 'reached an agreement' as a deal moves closer. While Arsenal and Sesko may now have an understanding, there is no agreement in place between the club and Leipzig as of yet. However it's claimed that the Gunners have signalled they will table an offer which will 'be in line' with Leipzig's expectations as they continue negotiations over a deal - with Leipzig preparing to sell after missing out on the Champions League places. But RBL won't be letting him leave for cheap. They want big money, in excess of £60million. Mirror Football confirmed last week that Arsenal were pursuing deals for both Sesko and Gyokeres in order to keep their options open, while Aston Villa 's Ollie Watkins - the subject of a rebuffed enquiry in January - was also still on the club's radar. While Gyokeres' preferred move this summer would be Arsenal, Sesko is another long-term target and was heavily linked with a move last summer before signing a new contract in Germany. Join the debate! Who would you rather sign, Arsenal fans: Gyokeres or Sesko? Let us know here Mikel Arteta is also known to be a huge admirer of the former RB Salzburg man, who broke the 20-goal barrier last season. Gyokeres is also expected to be on the move this summer, although his suitors may have to pay a higher price than previously thought. It was reported that the Swede and Sporting Lisbon had a gentleman's agreement which would see him sold for less than his release clause. The Portuguese champions have refuted such claims, though, with their president, Frederico Varandas, even accusing Gyokeres' agent of "playing games" over the striker's asking price. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
