Soccer

THIS summer’s transfer window – opening on June 1 – is just hours away, and in Arsenal’s search for a striker, two names are taking centre stage.Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko appear to be the Gunners’ top two targets to lead the line for them next season.Viktor Gyokores remains Arsenal’s top target for this summer’s windowCredit: AFPBenjamin Sesko has been tipped for big things by pundits in his native SloveniaCredit: GettyBoth have their merits, both would instantly improve Mikel Arteta’s attacking options and both are expected to cost between £60m and £70m.But, only one is expected to sign on the dotted line in North London over the coming weeks.So, where are Arsenal at in their decision-making?SunSport understands that Gyokeres is slightly favoured right now, for a number of reasons.There is a real belief that a deal for the Swedish international could be pushed through with little complications, given the player’s desire to test himself in one of Europe’s best leagues, as well as at a top team with the ability to seriously challenge in the Champions League.It is understood that there is a gentleman’s agreement between Gyokeres and Sporting to depart the Stadio Jose Alvalade in this window, having garnered lots of interest last summer, despite still having three years left on his current deal.Manchester United were expected to push for his signing with old Sporting boss Ruben Amorim now at the Old Trafford helm.But failing to qualify for the Champions League has severely hampered their spending power.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBarcelona are also in a financially delicate situation, and while Chelsea’s interest in Gyokeres is well documented, they also have eyes on other targets, including Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha claimed recently the club are yet to receive any offers and will not be strong-armed into selling their best players, but also added: “The market is not under our control, we are always dependent.”Thierry Henry hits out at Mikel Arteta as trophyless Arsenal are shown up by ‘the Man Utd that everyone laughs at’Gyokeres has been on fire the past two campaigns, scoring a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances in all competitions, while also notching 28 assists.No one in Europe’s top five leagues has more league goals than Gyokeres [39], with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe scoring 31, Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah scoring 29, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski scoring 27 and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane scoring 26.Arsenal are desperate for whoever they sign to hit the ground running, and view Gyokeres as one of the most in-form strikers currently in the market and available, with a persona and footballing arrogance to match.There is the added bonus of Gyokeres having already played in England, albeit in the Championship with Swansea and Coventry, while he never made a Prem appearance in his four-year stint at Brighton.New sporting director Andrea Berta is also a huge fan of the player, having looked closely at him during his time at Atletico Madrid when the Spaniards were considering a move.It was reported that Berta, alongside co-owner Josh Kroenke, spoke with the Gyokeres’ agent Hasan Cetinkaya while in Lisbon for Arsenal Women’s Champions League final triumph in the Portuguese capital last weekend before flying straight to Southampton for Arsenal Men’s final Prem game of the season, but this is unconfirmed.There are naturally some question marks over Gyokeres, such as if his stunning record out in Portugal would naturally translate to the Prem, and how long he would take to adapt.There is also the lack of sell-on ability with the 26-year-old arguably reaching his prime years. Until now, Arsenal have signed players with that in mind, evidenced by the sell-on clauses fitted in the loan moves for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, 25, and defender Nuno Tavares, 25.As for Sesko, Arsenal came close to signing the Slovenian last summer and in January – the player signing a new contract until 2029 back in June, while Leipzig were unwilling for a key player to depart during the winter window.At 21-years-old, Sesko’s potential for growth is huge, and has shown he can be consistent in a top European league, netting 14 Bundesliga goals in 2023/24 and 13 goals this term.It is worth noting too that his value would only increase after a few years at the Emirates.Sesko already has 41 caps for Slovenia at the age of just 21Credit: GettyHe is young but also incredibly confident, telling SunSport over the summer at the Euros how he thrives under the spotlight and attention of suitors, including those in the Prem.He said: “It’s a good kind of pressure. If you have the opportunity where people can talk about you, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad, there’s something about you… I am happy to be a part of this.”In Slovenia, journalists have spoken of being in awe of his ability, predicting he will develop into the country’s greatest ever player.However, it is this potential that is also a concern – there is an internal debate over how long it would take Sesko to adjust to life in English football. Used to time and space on the ball out in Germany, the physicality and speed could take some getting used to.On the one hand, the presence of Kai Havertz up top could take the pressure off Sesko and the expectancy for an instant impact, but Arsenal cannot afford to pin their hopes on a fresh-faced youngster who may need one or two seasons before hitting the heights.Signing one or the other would certainly give Arsenal’s attack a different edge, but each one provides differing solutions: one that will likely produce right now and one that will likely produce in the future.THE STATSHaving both featured 33 times in their respective league campaigns, putting their numbers side by side make for interesting reading.Both have fine injury records, Gyokeres playing 2,804 minutes this term, averaging 85 minutes per match, while Sesko has played 2,399 minutes and averaged 73 minutes per match.Given Arteta’s struggles to keep the likes of Havertz and Gabriel Jesus fit this season, that can only be a plus.Gyokeres boasts a record of 72 minutes per goal, compared to Sesko’s 185 minutes.Both have exceeded their goal XG. Gyokeres scored 39 goals from an XG of 31, while Sesko scored 13 from an XG of 10.And both can create as well as score, Gyokeres producing seven assists and averaging 16 successful passes per 90, and Sesko five with 15 successful passes per 90, an important aspect of what Arteta looks for in a front man.THE GYOKERES HEADING MYTHSocial media has been awash with claims that Gyokeres – for all his goalscoring abilities – has never scored with his head while at Sporting.This is incorrect. Of the 68 league goals Gyokeres has banged in over the past two seasons, two have been with his head.It is still not a great tally, especially given his height of 6ft2 and general power, but this is likely down to the service.Over the past two league seasons, Sporting have produced 1,322 crosses [including corners], with 362 of them being successful in terms of finding a Sporting player at first ask.In comparison, across Arsenal’s past two league seasons, they have produced 1,442 crosses [including corners] with 363 of them being successful.Sporting are used to dominating possession and pouncing on the counter, meaning Gyokeres has most of his goals with ball at feet as opposed to headers.But under Arteta and against more defensively compact opposition, Arsenal tend to deliver more balls into the box, which would give Gyokeres far more opportunities, in particular from set-pieces – an area the North Londoners have been dominant in across Europe in recent years.JULIAN ALVAREZ?Arsenal legend Thierry Henry revealed this week on the Stick To Football podcast that he would love to see Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez join Arsenal.Henry said: “One of my favourite nines out there is Julian Alvarez. I just like him. Is it possible? I don’t know.”If you look at all the teams recently that have been winning, you look at who’s on the bench, how many times has a guy been coming on to save the season.”It would certainly complement the trend of the past few transfer windows of ex-Manchester City players making the switch after Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling did the same, with varying degrees of success.It is rumoured that Alvarez is eyeing a change of scenery, wanting to play for a team who can compete for league titles and in Europe.Julian Alvarez could be a surprise target for the Gunners – but won’t come cheapCredit: GettyAtletico have struggled on both fronts this term, finishing third in La Liga and 12 points off winners Barcelona while being knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16.His flexibility is also something that is admired by those at Arsenal, able to play down the middle as well as out wide.However, it would be a difficult move to pull off, even with ex-Atletico man Berta now working at Arsenal.Alvarez, 25, joined Atletico from City last summer for £82m, and has a contract that runs until 2030, and the Spanish giants do not need nor want to sell such a valuable asset.It would take a sizable fee to pry him away, funds that Arsenal will likely want to spend on other targets in other positions.Athletic Bilbao’s £50m-valued Nico Williams is still being looked at, as is Espanyol’s £25m-valued keeper Joan Garcia, while £51m has already been splashed on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi with a medical imminent. 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