Mikel Arteta will be rubbing his hands together at the potential incomings at Arsenal this summer(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal get three transfer green lights as 'discount' offered and £25m talks start

by · football.london

Arsenal have received boosts regarding all three of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike.

The Gunners have been on the lookout for an out-and-out number nine for some time, with plenty of options linked with the club over the last few weeks. However, the hierarchy at the Emirates Stadium have some specific ideas in mind, and life could get much better for Arsenal fans thanks to recent developments.

Sporting CP striker Gyokeres has been a longtime target for the Gunners, as they have remained locked in a battle with Manchester United to secure the 27-year-old for the new Premier League season. However, the clubs have been given an exciting update recently, as Sporting president Frederico Varandas admitted that Gyokeres could be sold this summer for a discounted price.

Speaking this past weekend, Varandas said: "Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. However, we remain sensitive to Viktor’s dreams or those of any other athlete.

"Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor. Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave.

"I won’t disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won’t leave, absolutely not."

Viktor Gyokeres has been a longtime option for Arteta, but his asking price has been a big talking point(Image: Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

It was first believed that Gyokeres would not leave the Portuguese side for less than £85million this summer, but that no longer appears to be the case.

This drop in price could tickle Mikel Arteta's fancy, should he want to snap up a striker who scored a whopping 54 goals in all competitions last season - including six in the Champions League alone.

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig forward Sesko could also be on the move this summer, after it was reported that the German club have also dropped their asking price for the 22-year-old.

Benjamin Sesko is considered Arsenal's top target(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The young striker, who scored 21 goals in all competitions last campaign, is considered a top transfer target for Arteta, and the Spaniard will be excited by the latest developments with Sesko.

It was initially reported that Leipzig wanted between £68m and £85m for Sesko, which put off other clubs from wanting to secure his services. However, it is now being suggested that a fee of £59.7m is all it would take for Arsenal to tempt Sesko to the Premier League.

Many believe Sesko is a better option over Gyokeres, given the age gap and the fact that the Bundesliga is considered a much more difficult league than the Portuguese top flight.

However, there is one more option that Arteta is still pondering over and looks to be on his way out of his club too. Ekitike, who scored 22 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt during the 2024/25 season, has received interest from other Premier League sides including Liverpool, United and Chelsea.

Hugo Ekitike could be on the way out of Frankfurt this summer(Image: Sebastian El-Saqqa - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)

Now, GetFootball reports that Frankfurt are closing in on their replacement for Ekitike, as they enter talks with Union SG striker Franjo Ivanovic for a potential fee of £25m. The 21-year-old is seen as the most natural successor to the potentially departing Ekitike, having scored 16 goals in the Brussels club's first league title success since 1935.

Ekitike is looking more likely to leave than ever, as the 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to depart Germany either this summer or next. However, Frankfurt are demanding a fee of around £85m, and Premier League champions Liverpool are also interested in signing the striker.

With three targets now boosted in the last few days, and the transfer window ticking along nicely, Arsenal fans will be hoping that Arteta makes some savvy moves soon in order to improve their chances of capturing that elusive league trophy.

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