Benjamin Sesko is Arsenal’s top target for the No.9 position. Mikel Arteta’s side are desperate to strengthen up front in the summer transfer window and Sesko has emerged as the club’s favourite.
Sesko, 22, has scored 39 goals in 87 matches for RB Leipzig since his £20.4million move from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023. However, after Leipzig failed to secure European football for the first time in eight years, it’s reported that Sesko and several others, such as Xavi Simons, are open to leaving the club.
According to The Sun, Arsenal have Sesko at the top of their summer striker wishlist. It’s added that the Gunners are prepared to pay £70m for the ex-Red Bull Salzburg man, but they face a roadblock due to his wage demands.
Sesko’s camp have demanded a much higher salary than what the Gunners have proposed for the Slovenia international, who has four years left on his contract in Leipzig. That could force a change in direction for Arsenal, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres earmarked as an immediate alternative to Sesko.
While talk has intensified around his own future, Sesko is keeping a close eye on transfers elsewhere. In fact, Sesko appeared to congratulate Slovenia teammate Jaka Bijol on his £15m move to Leeds United.
After Bijol posted a heartfelt departing message to the Udinese fans on Instagram, Sesko shared that to his story before adding the flexed bicep emoji and the fire emoji.
Ex-Everton forward Gerard Deulofeu, Leicester City title-winning midfielder Gokhan Inler and former Watford defender Christian Kabasele were among those to comment on Bijol’s post.
Bijol, 26, has moved to Leeds from Udinese and has signed a five-year contract at Elland Road. Should Sesko move to Arsenal, he would come up against him on Saturday, August 23, when the Gunners host the Whites. The reverse fixture is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 31.
Amid the speculation about where Sesko is going to be playing his club football next season, he has been enjoying his summer holiday. On Sunday morning, the Leipzig forward posted a video of himself training in what looked to be a home gym, peddling away on an exercise bike.
With a move to the Premier League on the cards, Sesko seems keen to stay fit ahead of pre-season. football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in signing the 22-year-old, even if his stock has fallen a little following an underwhelming campaign.
Arsenal wanted to secure Sesko’s signature last year, but talks never reached an advanced stage. He was keen to resolve his future at Leipzig before Euro 2024, but the north Londoners couldn’t commit to a deal with Eddie Nketiah, who ended up signing for Crystal Palace, still at the club.
By the time Nketiah left, Sesko had already penned a contract extension at the Red Bull Arena. Despite missing out, football.london understands that Arsenal continued to monitor his progress.
