Arsenal get Benjamin Sesko transfer green light as striker reaches ‘full verbal agreement’

Arsenal could be handed a free run at RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko after Bayern Munich reached a verbal agreement to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.

Earlier this month, BILD reported that Bayern had joined the race for Sesko, who has a £75million price tag and would arrive as their new No.9 with Harry Kane dropping into the No.10 role.

Sesko scored 21 times and provided six assists in 45 appearances for Leipzig during the 2024/25 season. He has a fine record against Bayern, netting three times in four Bundesliga matches.

Bayern wanted to battle against Arsenal for Sesko and bring the Slovenian to the Allianz Arena. However, it now appears that Vincent Kompany’s side have turned their attention to someone else.

According to Sky Sport Germany, Bayern have reached a ‘full verbal agreement’ for Stuttgart ace Woltemade. The 6″6 powerhouse has emerged as one of Germany’s most promising strikers following a successful season, where he scored an impressive 17 goals and three assists in 33 matches.

Woltemade, 23, ‘wants to join Bayern with immediate effect’ and is set to sign a five-year contract until 2030. While Stuttgart want to keep him and negotiations between the two clubs haven’t started, there is a confidence that the Germany international will complete a big-money move to Bayern.

And Bayern’s move for Woltemade is expected to make Arsenal’s pursuit for Sesko a lot more simpler. Bayern have a rich history of signing the best players in the Bundesliga and Sesko would be no difficult. But the fact they have reached an agreement with another striker would suggest their attention isn’t on Sesko.

Arsenal can now pursue a move for Sesko without having to be concern about Bayern’s interest as much, knowing they are looking at Woltemade. The Gunners are desperate to strengthen their forward line this summer and Sesko is right near the top of their shopping list, alongside Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

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 ex-Liefering man, even if his stock has fallen a little after struggling during the second half of the season.

Speaking about his future last month, Sesko said: “The club has given me a lot and continues to give me a lot every day. It’s a great club to develop at. I’m currently a player for RB Leipzig, so I’m taking it day by day. If a transfer happens, and if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”