Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko has stalled, handing Manchester United a fresh headache in their own striker search this summer.
The RB Leipzig forward had emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top target,but as per Corrire dello Sport, the deal has said to have hit a standstill over salary demands and the structure of the fee.
While the two clubs are broadly aligned on an €80 million valuation, Arsenal have sought to negotiate a payment plan closer to €70 million, which Leipzig have resisted.
That impasse has led the Gunners to revisit alternative options—including Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also firmly on United’s radar.
The 26 year old Sweden international is admired by new United boss Ruben Amorim, under whom he thrived during a prolific spell in Lisbon.
Arsenal’s interest complicates matters for United. The London club can offer Champions League football next season, a powerful draw for any player of Gyokeres’ calibre.
United, by contrast, finished fifteenth in the Premier League and have no European football to offer.
If the former Coventry striker is to move to Old Trafford, it will depend on his belief in Amorim’s long-term project and willingness to buy into a rebuild that is unlikely to yield instant rewards.
According to The Independent, Arsenal are also exploring a deal for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
Chelsea are reportedly seeking £50 million for Madueke—too steep for Arsenal at this stage, but the possibility of renewed talks later in the window remains.
Arsenal are clearly undecided on their primary target, with Gyokeres and Maduekere both firm contenders behind Sesko.
For Amorim, Gyokeres at represents a plug-and-play solution to a long-standing issue at centre-forward. His familiarity with the manager’s tactical demands makes him a low-risk, high-upside acquisition.
As the summer unfolds, United’s recruitment team will need to move swiftly and decisively if they wish to avoid another key target slipping through their grasp.
Featured image: Stuart Franklin via Getty Images
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Raj Dholakia Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
