Arsenal are reportedly growing frustrated with Benjamin Sesko over the RB Leipzig star’s wage demands.
The Gunners are eager to sign 22-year-old Sesko during this summer transfer window. The Slovenian striker, valued at £70 million, has been on the club’s radar for quite some time.
Mikel Arteta’s team previously had bids for Sesko turned down both last summer and in January. He remains their top priority as they aim to boost their attacking lineup after finishing as the Premier League runners-up for the third year in a row.
And, according to The Sun, Arsenal’s hopes of bringing in Sesko have hit a stumbling block in regards to his wage demands.
The report claims that Sesko is asking for a deal at a much higher level than the Gunners were planning to offer.
Arsenal are reportedly growing frustrated with Benjamin Sesko over the star’s wage demands
The RB Leipzig striker is Arsenal’s No 1 target as they look to strengthen in attack this summer
But Sesko is asking for a deal at a much higher level than the Gunners were planning to offer
This could hamper any potential transfer, and it is an issue that may force a rethink from Arsenal’s perspective.
Although Gyokeres is aware that he is not Arsenal’s primary choice, he is still hopeful for a Premier League transfer. He comes off an impressive season, netting 53 goals and providing 13 assists in just 52 games for Sporting.
The Portuguese side are willing to sell him, and the Gunners and their sporting director Andrea Berta are keen to make sure they don’t miss out on both of their targets.
Meanwhile, amid the speculation over Sesko, who has been linked to several top European clubs and also rejected an offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, the 22-year-old’s agent Elvis Basanovic this week provided an update on the situation.
‘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,’ he told GiveMeSport.
‘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.’
Sporting’s prolific Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres is also being eyed by the Gunners
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta will be desperate not to miss out on both of his targets
Basanovic also highlighted what a special talent his client is and hinted that they are relaxed about his future.
‘[Sesko’s] numbers at his age compared to some strikers with already great careers at his age are confirming my words,’ he added.
‘He will move from RB Leipzig only when we recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach.’
Elsewhere, the report also claimed that Arsenal are set to face a double blow in the transfer market, with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi favouring a transfer to Liverpool instead of moving to the Emirates.
The England defender has just one year left on his deal at Selhurst Park and has been linked with several clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle.
However, with the World Cup coming up next summer, Guehi, who has won 23 England caps, is believed to be desperate for regular football.
And the report claims he is unsure that would be the case under Arteta, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes his undisputed starting partnership.
