Arsenal opted for Viktor Gyokeres U-turn for three reasons as Benjamin Sesko pursuit ends

Arsenal reignited their discussions with Viktor Gyokeres after hitting a snag in negotiations for their other striking target, Benjamin Sesko. The Gunners had both attackers on their radar this summer, with Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his forward line.

The north London club's focus has shifted between the two throughout the transfer window, but now it seems that Sporting Lisbon's Gyokeres is leading the race.

The Gunners are reportedly in advanced talks with the Portuguese club, having already settled personal terms with Gyokeres. This development makes a deal for Sesko increasingly unlikely.

The Independent reports that Andrea Berta has backed away from pursuing Sesko due to RB Leipzig's steep £69m valuation. Arsenal were apparently £9m short of meeting this price, and the structure of the proposed deal also left the Arsenal hierarchy less than impressed.

Furthermore, reaching an agreement on personal terms with the striker proved challenging, prompting Arsenal to cease negotiations. Sesko's agent Elvis Basanovic commented on Arsenal's interest in both strikers to Give Me Sport, implying that Sesko would have been the superior choice for Arsenal.

Basanovic stated: "Let me tell you: Sesko is not competing with anyone. It's him vs him every day. We have a clear plan for the future and media speculation doesn't affect us. Sesko is not just a striker, he is a special striker."

He further stated: "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."

Arsenal manager Arteta is eager to secure a new striker before the team departs for their pre-season tour in Singapore on July 19. This urgency means that most of the negotiations need to be wrapped up well in advance of the tour date.