Arsenal can strike deal for exciting Sesko and Gyokeres Plan B but face Mourinho fight

Arsenal can revisit their previous interest in Jhon Duran if their pursuits of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres fail. A surprise exit from the Saudi Pro League seems to be on the cards for the former Aston Villa striker.

Duran is reportedly open to returning to Europe six months after ditching Villa for Al-Nassr. Turkish giants Fenerbahce are claimed to be working on an agreement, with head coach Jose Mourinho holding direct talks with the Colombia international. However, Arsenal should use it as an opportunity to sign a star who was previously blossoming into one of Europe's most highly-rated young forwards.

Deals for Sesko and Gyokeres seem particularly difficult to conclude. RB Leipzig and Sporting Lisbon, respectively, are hardballing over transfer fees.

Sky Germany report that Duran is open to leaving Saudi Arabia. Arsenal may therefore have more luck agreeing a deal with Al-Nassr. Wide-ranging reports in Turkey suggest that Fenerbahce are seeking an initial loan move for the 21-year-old, which, for Arsenal, would make him a cheaper signing than Sesko or Gyokeres.

Duran was excellent at Villa and attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea last summer. Both clubs were loosely linked with his signing in January before he opted for a £62million switch to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

A goal, on average, every 89 minutes in his 20 Premier League appearances for Villa last season showed his superb productivity in the final third. It is exactly the kind of clinical edge that Arsenal lacked without a recognised striker for most of the second half of the campaign.

Duran can still develop into an elite striker. He was unfortunate to be behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order at Villa, which in part prompted his switch to the Middle East in January. If he returns to Europe, clubs will quickly get a reminder of his quality.

Arsenal will press ahead with top targets Sesko and Gyokeres, although only one of them will be signed. A new striker is a priority after a season in which Mikel Arteta's forwards struggled for fitness and consistency.

However, despite a potential battle with former foe Mourinho, Arsenal should keep one eye on Duran as a left-field candidate should moves for Sesko and Gyokeres fall through. Duran has shown he can lead the line in the Premier League, and could blossom into a top-class centre-forward.