Arsenal sent new Benjamin Sesko transfer message as Viktor Gyokeres 'rejects Sporting talks'

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Evening Standard

·19. Juni 2025

Arsenal sent new Benjamin Sesko transfer message as Viktor Gyokeres 'rejects Sporting talks'

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Benjamin Sesko’s agent has strongly refuted any suggestion that they are trying to facilitate a move to Arsenal by pressing RB Leipzig to lower his transfer fee.

Sesko to Arsenal is one of the biggest and longest-running transfer sagas of the summer so far with the window now back open for business, having been linked with a high-profile switch to north London for more than a year.

The Gunners are known to be chasing the statement addition of a top striker in a quest to finally end their trophy drought under Mikel Arteta next season, having been locked in talks with Leipzig for some time and also reportedly still evaluating the likes of Sporting frontman Viktor Gyokeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as new sporting director Andrea Berta seeks to cover all bases.

Despite rumours of now settling on personal terms with Sesko, Arsenal have struggled to come to an agreement with Leipzig, who are still said to be demanding a fee of up to £85million, per Sky Germany, who insist there is no deal close at the moment.

However, any suggestion that the player’s camp are actively trying to intervene in lowering that asking price have now been quashed.

“This is far from truth,” agent Elvis Basanovic - who would not be drawn on if he believes it is now a straight choice between Sesko and Gyokeres for Arsenal - told Fabrizio Romano and GiveMeSport.

“We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100 per cent 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 added that Sesko would only move when they “recognise a special club, a special project with a special coach”, insisting that a transfer could happen “next week... or next year, or in 3 years!”

There is also more potential drama on the Gyokeres front, with the Daily Mirror reporting that the Swedish international - said to favour a move to Arsenal despite also being a target for the likes of Manchester United and Juventus - has rejected clear-the-air talks with Sporting amid an increasingly bitter saga and ongoing rumours that he could yet choose to go on strike in a bid to force a transfer.