RB Leipzig have privately decided to drop their asking price for Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal have explored deals to sign Sesko and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres as they attempt to bring in a new centre forward to spearhead their Premier League title challenge next season.
The Gunners have held talks with Sporting over a move for the Sweden international and have seen an initial proposal worth €55 million (£46.8m) plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons turned away.
The club are still to make any offers for Sesko at this stage but the Slovenia international is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s preferred option out of the two.
Earlier this month, it was reported RB Leipzig were demanding a fee between €80m and €100m (£68m and £85m) for their striker – a price Arsenal have been unwilling to meet.
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With no movement for a number of weeks, Bild report Leipzig are already backing down over those demands, reporting €70million (£59.7m) is a more realistic price.
Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres meanwhile has been complicated by a tense stand-off between the club and player.
The former Coventry City star is demanding to leave this summer, believing promises have been broken over the fee he can leave for.
In contrast, Sesko’s agent recently 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.
‘Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig.
‘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.’