Benjamin Sesko price drop vindicates Arsenal transfer stance as Viktor Gyokeres announcement nears

The news that RB Leipzig have reportedly lowered their asking price for Arsenal’s previous primary striker target, Benjamin Sesko, is sure to prompt some exasperated chuckles from the Gunners supporters, and rightly so. Arsenal had engaged in lengthy talks prior to their pivot to Viktor Gyokereswith the German club, but there was no willingness to budge on their valuation.

Despite a supposed‘gentleman’s agreement’ between Sesko and Leipzigover a summer exit (a phrase that has seemingly become synonymous with this summer window), Arsenal still encountered considerable resistance during negotiations. Leipzig reportedly wanted a figure in the region of €90million (£78.5million) to complete the deal.

After no breakthrough, Arsenal instead turned their attention to Gyokeres, who had already been rejecting offers and had been patient in the hope the Gunners would come in. This desire to sign for Mikel Arteta’s side certainly is felt to have softened the Spaniard’s attachment to his primary target in Sesko.

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Arsenal engaged in negotiations that lasted around three weeks to conclude a deal for the Swede, despite tough operators on the Portuguese club’s side. Eventually, football.london understands the club will pay €63.5million (£55million) with €10million (£8.7million) in add-ons.

The irony is that according to Fabrizio Romano, the German side have reduced expectations to a guaranteed figure in the €70million (£61million) to €80million (£70million) range with €5million (£4.4million) to €10million (£8.7million) in add-ons. At the top end of both ranges, this is still the fee that was being quoted at the start of the window, at the bottom end, it’s around £65million, which is around a couple of million more, inclusive of add-ons, that Arsenal are expected to pay for Gyokeres.

Newcastle United are keen on the player, only if Alexander Isak now leaves. However, the chance of a club of the calibre and current competitive level of Arsenal coming in for Sesko is bleak for now.

Ultimately, Leipzig needs a sale sooner rather than later, even with Chelsea in talks for Xavi Simons. Losing arguably their two most important players and failing to qualify for Europe has left them in a tough spot.

Leipzig have been strong in the market in recent years, but a faster resolution to these players' futures sooner would have given them more time to replace them, with some potential targets having already been missed out on by the end of July. Arsenal’s swift decision and subsequent two-plus-week negotiation to land Gyokeres means their new striker could yet play at least three matches this pre-season for the Gunners.