Arsenal are 'at the helm' to sign £68.6m star but Liverpool have now joined the race - report
Arsenal could face competition from Liverpool to sign one of Europe’s in-form strikers.
The Gunners are expected to bolster their attack ahead of next season, and a marquee centre-forward is the main priority.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres have emerged as the prime targets for the London giants.
O Jogo (page 8) today claim that the Gunners are still ‘at the helm’ for Gyokeres, but several elite clubs are monitoring him.
Liverpool are one of the teams that keep the 27-year-old in their sights and are informed about his situation.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has already confirmed that Gyokeres won’t be sold for £51.5 million plus £8.5m in add-ons.
The Portuguese champions won’t sanction his sale for less than £68.6m this summer.
Arsenal need to make final decision on marquee striker
The Gunners have earmarked Sesko as their top striker target, with Gyokeres viewed as the backup option.
Both strikers seem open to joining the club. Sesko recently followed the Gunners on Instagram, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.
Gyokeres has made it clear to his representative that he would prefer to join Arsenal after turning down interest from Manchester United.
The onus is now on the Gunners to find a suitable agreement for one of the strikers.
Sesko has a £68.6m release clause in his deal. Leipzig are open to negotiating a long-term payment plan for a fee between £68.6m and £86m.
Sporting are quite clear that they won’t entertain less than £68.6m. Arsenal have reportedly made an informal bid of £55.6m, including add-ons.
Arsenal are not close to signing either striker at the moment but should not find themselves in a position where they could miss out on both.
If a deal can’t be reached with Leipzig for Sesko, they should consider negotiating payment terms for Gyokeres with Sporting.
Liverpool have done quick business for their main transfer targets this summer. They have already confirmed deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.
If the Gunners continue to haggle over the transfer package, the Merseyside giants could easily beat them to the signature of Gyokeres.
The Swede has been holding out for the Gunners but could be tempted to join the Reds, who can also guarantee him Champions League football.
Arsenal need make a final decision on which striker to sign soon.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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