RB Leipzig are demanding up to €100million (£86m) for Benjamin Sesko this summer – demands Arsenal are refusing to meet.
Signing a new centre forward has been a top priority for the Gunners with Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres identified as their leading targets.
Arsenal have explored a move for Gyokeres but a bitter row between the Sweden international and his club has threatened to derail any move.
Sesko is reportedly Mikel Arteta’s first choice target to lead his attack next season but the club are still to make an official offer for the 22-year-old.
Sky Sports Germany report Leipzig’s asking price now stands at a fee between €80m and €100m (£69m to £86m), a price Arsenal are not currently prepared to pay.
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The club have remained in contact with Sesko’s camp but there is also still no full agreement over personal terms.
While Sesko is ‘attracted to the possibility’ of playing for Arsenal with Champions League football also on offer, the striker is said to be relaxed over the situation and will not attempt to force a move to north London.
Arsenal have long-standing interest in Sesko, opting against a move in January due to a gentleman’s agreement with Leipzig to allow him to stay at the German side until at least the summer.
The Slovenia international was also close to leaving last summer but opted to sign a new contract, removing a previous release clause of £55m.
Arsenal meanwhile have also been exploring a move for Gyokeres, who has become embroiled in a bitter feud with Sporting over a proposed transfer fee for the player.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has denied the existence of an agreement that would have allowed Gyokeres to leave the club for a fee of €60 plus €10m in add-ons this summer, much to the frustration of the striker and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, met with Sporting officials last week to discuss a deal.
Arsenal’s initial proposal worth an €55m (£46.8m) plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons was rejected but an improved offer was expected.
However, the ongoing row between Sporting, Gyokeres and his agent and the uncertainty over what fee it would take to prise him from Lisbon has promoted Arsenal to ‘freeze’ their pursuit, according to latest reports in Portugal.
