How Arsenal and Man United Signed Each Other’s First Choice Striker

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·10 August 2025

How Arsenal and Man United Signed Each Other’s First Choice Striker

There’s a certain irony that Benjamin Šeško’s competitive debut may come against Arsenal, while Viktor Gyökeres could make his against Manchester United. Those have been the two names which have dominated any transfer talk regarding the Gunners this transfer window, so it seems appropriate that they will both be the talking point when we kick off our season next Sunday, 17th August, away at Old Trafford

While no one will publicly admit it, there was a period this summer where both strikers looked likely to be in the opposite dressing rooms. If Ruben Amorim had his way, Gyökeres would be living in Manchester, while it is believed Šeško has been a long-term target for Mikel Arteta and that negotiations went on for months. There was a spell in June and July when the media reported it was a case of when, not if, the 22-year-old moved to the Emirates. One journalist in Germany I’m sure said he was “convinced” the deal would happen.

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How Arsenal landed Gyökeres

The Red Devils never got that far in talks with Gyökeres because his agent made it clear straight away that his client’s chosen destination was north London. That proved to be a turning point where the two clubs would swap who topped their shortlist.

Part of Andrea Berta’s recruitment policy is to talk to as many targets as possible at the same time. By our Director of Football getting as much information as possible, he quickly learnt just how desperate Gyökeres was to become a Gunner. Most crucially, the Italian found out that the Swede believed he had a verbal agreement with Sporting Lisbon that if he gave another year’s service they would not price him out of a move away. This contradicted the original information we had received. Even if his employers were going back on their word, contractually they were not obliged to have their asking price dictated to them.

It was music to the 53-year-old’s ears when the player’s representatives claimed to have evidence his client was telling the truth and felt so let down by the broken promise that he was willing not to return to work. By making it clear he only had one choice, any chance of a bidding war was ruled out, meaning his valuation was lower than it normally would have been.

Viktor Gyoekeres v Villarreal (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

How United secured Šeško

This coincided with a combination of RB Leipzig and Šeško talking themselves out of a deal to the English capital. After years of scouting the Slovenian, he has been our manager’s first pick on the consensus he has a higher ceiling. Not only can the forward bully defenders, but for someone his height his pace is impressive.

While many believe the forward could be better than Gyökeres by his peak years, Arsenal do not have the luxury of waiting for potential to develop. The pressure is increasing to end their title drought, meaning the club cannot wait for jam tomorrow. In terms of someone most likely to immediately score 20-30 league goals, we have made the right choice, especially when he was the cheaper option.

Without the offer of Champions League football, Manchester United are in the position where they have had to pay over the odds in terms of fees and wages. Is it written for Šeško to come back and haunt us next Sunday?

Only one week to go.. COYG!

Dan Smith

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