Sesko signature hits stumbling block - Who will Arsenal sign?

A lot of Premier League teams have made early moves in the transfer market. Liverpool and Man City have made a series of signings. Even Manchester United have brought in Matheus Cunha from Wolves. 

However, Arsenal have been biding their time over a first transfer, although rumours continue to swirl suggesting that they are negotiating for both Benjamin Sesko and Victor Gyokeres. 

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Despite many outlets claiming the Sesko deal was all but done, it has now been reported that, while they have agreed a fee with RB Leipzig, the player’s salary demands are putting the deal in jeopardy. 

Arsenal are still 1/5, according to bookmakers, to sign the 22-year-old Slovenian striker.  At the same time, they remain the favourites to sign Gyokeres (1/2) from Sporting Lisbon and have also been linked with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Mohammad Kudus, and Yoann Wissa.

Arsenal have finished as Premier League runners-up three seasons in a row, with a lack of clinical finishing being one likely reason for their failure to successfully take the step to first. In light of this, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Sesko and Gyokeres. 

The Sesko deal certainly isn’t dead yet, but if the Gunners can’t agree on personal terms, they may strengthen their approach for Gyokeres. Sesko is only 22 years old. Last season, he scored 21 goals and provided a further six assists, and he is widely considered to be one of the leading young strikers in world football. His age and the fact that he plays in a more difficult league saw him become Mikel Arteta’s first-choice signing. 

In contrast, Gyokeres is 27 years old, five years Sesko’s senior, and he plays in the Portuguese league, which is not as highly regarded as the Bundesliga. However, he scored 54 goals and registered 13 assists in 52 appearances last season, so he is a far more prolific striker. Gyokeres remains a strong contender to join Arsenal at odds of 1/2.

If Arsenal are concerned with the lower quality of the Portuguese league, they may look for alternatives closer to home. One such alternative is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. The Gunners made a late bid for Watkins in the January window, but it was swiftly rebutted by the Midlands outfit. At odds of 3/1, the bookmakers clearly think Arsenal still hold some kind of interest in his signing. 

One factor that might put Arsenal off signing Watkins is his age. At 29, he should have a good few seasons left in him, but Arteta’s drive to try and sign Sesko suggests they are looking for an up-and-coming goalscorer instead. For this reason, Yoane Wissa is another possible signing, at 5/1, but with the caveat that the Brentford forward is 28 years old now. 

Alexander Isak is considered an outside shot at 8/1, but he is just 25 years old and while reports suggest the player takes some careful managing, he has proven Premiership pedigree. He scored 23 goals for Newcastle, last season, but Liverpool are believed to be the frontrunners to take the Swedish national, if he does leave St James’ Park.

Odds on players joining Arsenal this transfer window, from Ladbrokes, correct at the time of writing: