Benjamin Sesko Price Spurs Arsenal to Target Gyokeres

Benjamin Sesko was supposed to be the marquee No.9 Arsenal unveiled this summer, yet the Gunners have slammed on the brakes after RB Leipzig quoted a staggering €100 million fee. The Slovenian prodigy only arrived in Saxony last year, but his 14 Bundesliga goals and rapid upward curve have convinced Leipzig they can demand a nine-figure windfall. That valuation, however, has forced sporting director Edu Gaspar and manager Mikel Arteta to reassess their striker shortlist.

Benjamin Sesko valuation leaves Arsenal reeling

Inside the Emirates boardroom, there was an acceptance that a proven finisher would not come cheap, but sources insist Leipzig’s asking price for Benjamin Sesko exceeds internal projections by nearly €30 million. With Financial Fair Play thresholds tightening after last summer’s £200 million spend on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal risk blowing their budget on one asset. Although the 20-year-old has elite upside, there are concerns that paying Leipzig’s premium would leave little room to strengthen midfield depth or add a wide forward.

Gyokeres becomes the leading alternative

Step forward Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish powerhouse has exploded at Sporting CP, racking up 27 league goals and double-digit assists in his debut Primeira Liga campaign. Crucially, his release clause stands at €100 million as well, but Sporting are believed to be open to structuring a deal with achievable add-ons, lowering the immediate cash outlay. Arsenal’s scouting department have tracked Gyokeres since his Coventry City days, and early discussions with the player’s representatives suggest personal terms would be straightforward.

Comparing profiles: Sesko vs. Gyokeres

Benjamin Sesko offers verticality, blistering pace and the instinct to attack space behind defences. Standing 6ft 5in, he is deceptively graceful and models elements of his game on Erling Haaland. Gyokeres, by contrast, is a bulldozing ball-carrier who thrives with his back to goal and relishes physical duels. While Sesko projects as a long-term superstar, Gyokeres, at 25, is entering his prime and could deliver instant returns in the Premier League’s demanding environment.

Arsenal striker search and the financial equation

Arsenal face a delicate balancing act. Pay Leipzig’s €100 million today, and Benjamin Sesko arrives with colossal pressure and limited squad reinforcements around him. Opt for Gyokeres at a staggered cost, and funds remain for a dynamic eight or another winger—Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is admired. Club accountants calculate that spreading payments for Gyokeres over five years would align with amortisation policies and maintain headroom under UEFA’s new Squad Cost Ratio rules.

Leipzig’s stance explained

RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff insists the club are “under no pressure to sell.” Having banked significant profits on Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai and Josko Gvardiol in recent windows, Leipzig can afford to hold firm. They also point to the precedent set by Benfica’s €121 million sale of Enzo Fernández to Chelsea, arguing that young potential can command extraordinary sums. For Leipzig, keeping Benjamin Sesko for another season could increase his value further, especially with Champions League exposure.

Tactical implications for Arteta

Arteta’s positional-play system demands a forward who can press aggressively, combine in tight areas and finish high-value chances. Benjamin Sesko ticks the pressing box and offers a serious aerial threat, yet his link-up play is still raw. Gyokeres brings Premier League-ready physicality and can roll centre-backs to create space for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Whichever striker arrives must also be comfortable rotating with Gabriel Jesus, whose versatility allows him to drop into the half-spaces.

Fan reaction and market perception

Social media polls show supporters split. A vocal section is excited by the idea of Benjamin Sesko becoming Arsenal’s answer to Haaland, while others fear Leipzig’s price evokes memories of the Nicolas Pépé deal that hamstrung spending power. Analysts note that Arsenal’s willingness to walk away signals a new, disciplined transfer approach—echoing their refusal to match Shakhtar’s £100 million valuation for Mykhailo Mudryk last January.

What happens next in the Benjamin Sesko saga?

Talks are expected to continue in the background. Arsenal may revisit Benjamin Sesko later in the window if Leipzig soften or if player pressure grows. For now, Edu will prioritise formal negotiations with Sporting and could lodge an opening proposal in the coming fortnight. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester United scout the same striker market, meaning any hesitation could see rivals swoop.

Opinion: Arsenal’s restraint deserves praise. Benjamin Sesko might become world-class, but paying a record fee for potential alone is a gamble a club still building depth cannot afford. Gyokeres offers a balanced blend of quality and value; securing him without mortgaging the summer budget could be the decisive move that sustains a title challenge rather than merely headlines.