Revealed: Why Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta dropped interest in Benjamin Sesko after Gunners seal £64m deal for Viktor Gyokeres instead

Arsenal's decision to drop interest in RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and target Viktor Gyokeres instead has been explained.

• Slovenia international was a top target
• Attention turned to Swedish sensation
• Gunners looking for "immediate impact"

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners have been in the market for a new No.9 across several transfer windows, with the acquisition of a proven goalscorer considered to be the final piece in a Premier League title-winning puzzle for the north London outfit.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Several options have been considered, from Alexander Isak to Ollie Watkins, but Mikel Arteta has finally got his man after seeing a protracted pursuit of Swedish striker Gyokeres completed in a £64 million ($86m) deal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , Arsenal view Gyokeres as "a player ready – and utterly determined – to make an immediate impact". He is considered to be a "striker for the here and now" who can be "a difference-maker this season".

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  TELL ME MORE

  Sporting director Andrea Berta turned his attention to Gyokeres after seeing his predecessors favour an approach for Sesko. At that stage, the Slovenia international’s "age profile and potential" appealed to the Gunners, with lengthy talks held with his representatives and Leipzig.

  As "limited progress was made", Arsenal determined that "Sesko’s salary expectations and associated commission" were "too high" for a player "considered a development project". The numbers involved in a big-money deal were "too steep" for those at Emirates Stadium.