Antonio Conte tells Napoli to sign £67m star Arsenal are interested in - report
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has his sights on signing one of Arsenal’s primary targets for the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are expected to strengthen the centre-forward department, and they are looking at two options in particular.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is the priority target, and talks have started with the Bundesliga outfit over a potential transfer.
However, Sesko has yet to verbally agree on personal terms with the London giants.
On the other hand, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has given his ‘verbal agreement’ to join the club, but he is the backup target.
Mirror now report that Arsenal could suffer a setback with Conte having instructed Napoli to sign Gyokeres from the Portuguese champions.
The Italian tactician recently agreed to continue at the Naples outfit with a pay rise and he will be backed with plenty of signings.
According to Mirror, Sporting CP have made it clear that they won’t accept anything less than £67 million for Gyokeres’s exit.
Arsenal need to find quick solution on new striker
The Gunners are working simultaneously on multiple striker solutions, ensuring they are not left empty-handed in their pursuit.
Talks are ongoing with Leipzig over payment terms for Sesko’s £67m release clause. As things stand, no outcome has been reached.
Arsenal would also need to convince the Slovenian to join them. Gyokeres is the fallback option. Sporting director Andrea Berta is a firm admirer.
The Swede was sensational for Sporting CP last season, registering 54 goals and providing 13 assists from just 52 appearances in all competitions.
Despite this, Arsenal seem to prefer Sesko over him. The 22-year-old, who scored 21 goals and provided six assists in all competitions for Leipzig last season, has a higher ceiling.
Sesko has the time to adapt and potentially become an elite marksman for Arsenal.
Gyokeres, who turns 27 in three days, has been outstanding for Sporting CP in the last two years, but the competition is much stiffer in English football.
The once Brighton & Hove Albion man is in the prime of his career and may need to deliver immediate results, unlike Sesko, who is still learning his trade.
In our view, Arsenal must secure a swift deal for one of them, as the transfer window is now open.
They would not want to get into a situation where Sesko turns them down while Napoli win the race to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP in the same period.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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