'Not a penny less': Arsenal now told to pay £68m to sign 'unstoppable' star - report
Arsenal are likely to make multiple additions to their forward department this summer.
A marquee centre-forward is their prime target, and they have identified two main candidates.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres are the names on their wishlist.
The Gunners made a first offer of £55m including add-ons for Gyokeres last week, but Sporting CP immediately rejected their proposal.
A Bola (page 16) now report that Arsenal remain the front-runners to purchase the Swede, closely followed by Serie A heavyweights Juventus.
However, Sporting CP are pretty clear that the 27-year-old won’t be allowed to leave Lisbon for less than £68m this summer, ‘not a penny less’.
Arsenal reluctant to pay over the odds for Gyokeres
The Sweden international had a sensational campaign with Sporting CP. He scored 54 goals and assisted another 13 from just 52 appearances.
Despite this, no clubs are willing to meet the valuation for the former Coventry City man, who has been described as ‘unstoppable‘ by OneFootball.
Arsenal are ‘fed up‘ with Sporting CP’s demands for the player and have reportedly turned their attention to Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins.
We are not surprised by their stance, considering the quality of the Primeira Liga is far less than the Premier League, as The Athletic report.
Only five teams in the Portuguese top flight were of Premier League standard last term, with some of the clubs at Championship level at their best.
The relegated teams are apparently not better than League One sides. Hence, Arsenal are not willing to pay above their fixed price for Gyokeres.
The Swede could easily accumulate 20 to 25 goals, which would benefit the Gunners, but there is a risk associated, given he has just turned 27.
The once Brighton & Hove Albion man will need to provide immediate results, unlike Sesko, who is five years younger and has time to adapt and develop.
As things stand, it appears Arsenal are focused on signing either Sesko or Watkins.
Watkins will turn 30 later this year, but he is Premier League-proven, and could seamlessly adapt at Arsenal, unlike a striker coming from abroad.
Arsenal failed with a £40m bid for his services last winter but reports claim that he could be signed for a similar package in the ongoing transfer window.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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