Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is at a pivotal moment, with his reputation resting heavily on the club’s imminent striker decision.

Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is at a pivotal moment, with his reputation resting heavily on the club’s imminent striker decision.

signing Viktor Gyökeres or turning elsewhere, potentially RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško.

 

⚽ Gyökeres: The Dream Target

 

Arsenal has reportedly reached a personal agreement with the prolific Sporting CP striker—27 years old, 54 goals last season—and are finalizing a deal worth about €70m (roughly £68–69m), including add-ons .

 

Gyökeres has even threatened to strike—refuse preseason to force the move—prompting concerns at Sporting .

 

However, Sporting is holding firm, initially demanding closer to €80m, before conceding to between €68–70m .

 

 

If Berta can steer this deal home, it’d be seen as a masterstroke: acquiring a lethal goalscorer who can get Arsenal over the line in key games.

 

🔄 Šeško: The Alternative Path

 

Meanwhile, Arsenal remains interested in Šeško, a 22-year-old target from RB Leipzig. Reportedly seen as a longer-term investment, he’s valued at around €75m .

 

Šeško brings youth, potential, and high resale value—but lacks the immediate match-winning pedigree of Gyökeres.

 

Sources caution that if Gyökeres becomes too expensive, Arsenal may pivot decisively—possibly freezing his pursuit and refocusing on Šeško .

 

 

🤔 The Reputation Gamble

 

Immediate impact vs. future potential: Berta needs to balance a seasoned goal-scoring machine (Gyökeres) with a younger, mouldable talent (Šeško).

 

Missing out entirely would spark scrutiny—after three consecutive runner-up PL finishes, Arsenal must fortify their attack before preseason begins .

 

Delivering Gyökeres would validate Berta’s aggressive transfer strategy this summer, especially following other signings like Zubimendi and Nørgaard .

 

 

 

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In summary: Andrea Berta’s standing hinges on landing a top-class striker. Gyökeres offers instant firepower—provided Sporting lowers its stance. If the price jumps too high, Šeško becomes a viable Plan B. Whichever path is chosen, swift decisive action is crucial. Success could redefine Arsenal’s season; delay or misstep could feed doubt around Berta’s vision—and Arteta’s title hopes.