Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves believes Mikel Arteta’s side would be wise to reconsider their interest in Benjamin Sesko and instead go all out to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
Signing an out-and-out goalscorer has emerged as Arsenal’s top priority in this summer window after injuries forced them to deploy Mikel Merino as a makeshift No9 for large parts of last season.
Gyokeres and Sesko have emerged as the two frontrunners, with Arsenal still weighing up bids for both in the early stages of the summer window.
The Gunners have held talks with Sporting over a move for Gyokeres, but saw an initial proposal worth €55 million (£46.8m) plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons turned away.
The north London are still yet to make any offers for Sesko at this stage, although RB Leipzig are said to have reduced their asking price for the Slovenia international to around £60m.
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It is believed that Sesko is Arteta’s preferred option out of the two, but Groves thinks the 22-year-old is not quite ready to lead the line for an Arsenal side that are hoping to be title challengers next season.
‘100 per cent, I would sign Viktor Gyokeres,’ he told talkSPORT.
‘He’s five years down the line in knowing his trade. At 22, you’re still learning, you’re raw whereas Gyokeres has proven he can score goals.
‘He’s proven he can score goals in the Championship, over in Portugal, and his record in the Champions League is good as well. At every level, he’s proven he can score goals
‘With Sesko, he’s still that bit raw and Arsenal haven’t got that time to develop players with potential. They need players who go straight in and know their trade.’
Speaking recently, Sesko’s agent revealed they will not attempt to force a transfer away this summer.
Asked about rumours he is pressing Leipzig to lower their demands, Elvis Basanovic said: ‘This is far from truth.
‘We respect RB Leipzig and I am 100% convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it.
‘I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club.
‘I can understand in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests but no matter what, I believe in football world should be more respect.
‘So that’s why we do things in the right way or we don’t do them. It’s very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.’
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