Arsenal are ready to abandon their interest in Benjamin Sesko as they close in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners made a significant breakthrough in their attempts to land a new striker over the weekend after a delegation, led by sporting director Andrea Berta, arrived in Lisbon to thrash out a deal.
Gyokeres now appears to be on the verge of a move to Arsenal with an initial €65million fee now virtually agreed.
Sesko, it appeared, started the summer as Mikel Arteta’s No.1 target with Arsenal having come close to signing the Slovenia international 12 months earlier.
The Premier League giants were, however, becoming increasingly frustrated with RB Leipzig’s refusal to lower their €90m valuation, while agreeing personal terms with Sesko was far from straightforward either.
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Arteta’s desire to have a new centre forward in place for the start of pre-season appears to have triggered decisive action meaning Arsenal will end their pursuit of Sesko should they get the Gyokeres deal over the line.
According to the The Athletic, German sources gave an indication there was room for negotiation on the asking price but Arsenal failed to be convinced.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have already completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, while they are expected to announce the signing of Christian Norgaard in the next 24 hours.
The Brentford captain has passed a medical and will fill a vacancy in the squad created by the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
Arteta still plans to add further to his attack with a wide forward among his targets.
Arsenal are understood to have already agreed terms with Noni Madueke who Chelsea would be willing to let leave for a fee in the region of £50m.
‘Noni has been very important for us during this season,’ the Blues head coach insisted in his pre-match press conference.
‘Today, again, he has been important. But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us.
‘The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. It’s not for Noni, it’s for all the players we have.
‘But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight.’
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is also very much on Arsenal’s radar, while Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is also of interest.