Arsenal poised to ‘change direction’ after growing frustrated with transfer target’s wage demands

Arsenal are ready to focus their attentions on signing Sporting sensation Viktor Gyokeres after growing frustrated with Benjamin Sesko’s wage demands.

The Gunners are intent on strengthening up front after enduring another trophyless season under Mikel Arteta, with the club facing heavy criticism for their inactivity across the last two transfer windows.

The loss of both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to injury last term only intensified the sense of unrest amongst Arsenal’s fanbase and Andrea Berta – the side’s newly appointed sporting director – is determined to find a resolution this summer.

A host of big-name strikers have been linked with moves to the Emirates and RB Leipzig’s Sesko, 22, finds himself at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist on the back of an eye-catching campaign in the Bundesliga, in which he racked up 13 goals and five assists.

However, according to The Sun, the north Londoners are prepared to walk away from a proposed deal over what they perceive to be excessive demands from the Slovenian’s camp.

The report claims Sesko remains Arsenal’s primary target for the time being – but there could be a dramatic ‘change of direction’ back to prolific Sporting attacker Gyokeres.

It’s understood RB Leipzig have slapped a €100million (£86m) price tag on Sesko this summer, while Gyokeres is believed to have a release clause of £85m in Lisbon.

‘There is a lot of talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right,’ Gyokeres told his followers on Instagram last week.

Gyokeres scored 54 goals in 52 games last season to help steer Sporting to a domestic double, with Rui Borges’ men defending their Primeira Liga title before winning the Portuguese Cup.

The 27-year-old Sweden international is tied into a contract at the Jose Alvalade Stadium until June 2028.

‘Gyokeres? I’m not interested in any news,’ Sporting forward Conrad Harder told Sport TV when asked about the incessant speculation surrounding his team-mate.

‘I am focusing on myself. I want to play. We’ll see what happens.

‘It’s important for me to have minutes now. I was on the bench for a year, and I need to play. I think I’m ready, and we’ll see. It will be good to have minutes.

‘We will never forget what Viktor did at Sporting. Never! But I hope that the team and I can live up to the challenge. I’ll do my best. I think I’m ready.

‘I’m not ready to be the new Viktor; he’s 27 years old, I’m 20… but I’m prepared to do what I’m best at. And we’ll see what I can bring to the team. I want to stay at Sporting.’

In an interview with Matchday, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber told supporters to expect a ‘busy’ summer of comings and goings.

‘It will definitely be a busy one for Arsenal,’ the Dutchman said.

‘I think we will get a lot of players, because we had so many injuries last season.

‘At one point we almost had no players left. So for the depth of the players they definitely want to get players.’

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