Viktor Gyoekeres v Villarreal (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Opinion: Šeško sacrifices for Man United move after Arsenal snub

Originally posted on Just Arsenal | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 12:00 PM ET

As a Gooner, what do you make of Benjamin Šeško’s pending move to Manchester United? After tracking the young Slovenian striker for over a year with hopes of landing him, it is hard not to feel disappointed. A move to Arsenal failed to materialise, and the reasons behind it are frustrating.

Frustrating Arsenal-Leipzig negotiations

Arsenal found RB Leipzig difficult to deal with. The German club were not exactly forthcoming in talks, but that was not the biggest frustration. The real issue was the perceived lack of effort from Šeško and his agent.

The Gunners felt they did nothing to show they genuinely wanted the move. That lack of enthusiasm, crucial in helping push negotiations forward, ultimately led Arsenal to drop out of the race. Instead, they turned to Viktor Gyökeres, a striker who made it clear he would do whatever it took to join.

Šeško sacrifices for United move

Ironically, just weeks after Arsenal pulled the plug on the Šeško pursuit, the 22-year-old did exactly what they had hoped he would do for them, but for Manchester United. To ease his move to Arsenal, Gyökeres reportedly gave up €2 million from his salary package. That sacrifice helped Sporting CP accept a £63.5 million fee, rather than the higher figures they initially demanded. His agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, also waived his £5.2 million commission to get that deal over the line.

Šeško, who many doubted would make similar sacrifices, now appears to have done just that to seal his switch to Old Trafford. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Šeško has agreed to take a financial hit, mirroring Gyökeres’ gesture, to help United’s offer go through. Even Elvis Basanovic, the agent some Gooners felt was being stubborn, has reportedly given up a significant portion of his commission to ensure Leipzig accepted United’s bid, despite Newcastle offering more.

From these revelations, it is hard not to feel played. If Šeško truly wanted Arsenal, he would have made those sacrifices from the start, just as he has now done for United. At the Emirates, the feeling was clear: signing Šeško meant gambling on what he could become. Gyökeres, by contrast, is a striker for the present. Arteta needed a win-now forward, and he got one.

Come 17th August, it is Gyökeres vs Šeško in what is shaping up to be a fascinating early-season Manchester United vs Arsenal clash. For Gooners, the hope is simple: that Gyökeres steals the spotlight and shows why Arsenal made the right call.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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This article first appeared on Just Arsenal and was syndicated with permission.

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