Arsenal’s transfer priority this summer is to bring in a striker. Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are already working hard behind the scenes to make that happen, with talks over a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Sesko was one of the names on Arsenal’s transfer radar last summer, but at the age of 21, the Slovenian frontman wanted to have another year in the Bundesliga before assessing his options once more.
Leipzig did not have the best of seasons in the Bundesliga, finishing seventh in the end, with Sesko netting 21 goals in all competitions, adding six assists as well.
Sesko is likely to cost Arsenal a fee in the region of £92.5million with negotiations likely to take some time.
Other clubs at the top of the Premier League table are making signings already, but Arsenal have yet to complete a deal, with Sesko and Martin Zubimendi the ones most likely to happen.
Zubimendi has been in international action already, part of the Spain side that beat France 5-4 in a thriller in the Nations League semi-final this week. Arsenal supporters will have to wait a bit longer to see Sesko, however.
The 22-year-old has pulled out of the Slovenia squad to take on Luxembourg in a friendly on Friday night with injury. Slovenia do have another fixture to come on Tuesday – the day the first summer transfer window closes – against Bosnia & Herzegovina and he remains with the squad in the hope that he can play some part in that clash.
But Arsenal are likely to be left waiting after that, had they wanted to complete a deal.
Following the conclusion of the Bundesliga season and the international fixtures, Sesko, like all other players, will likely head off on holiday. And FIFA guidelines suggest players should have three continuous weeks off following the conclusion of the season, before reporting back to action.
If Sesko does indeed go off on holiday the day after the Bosnia clash, he could legitimately be away until Wednesday, July 2.
Arsenal head off on their pre-season tour of Asia on Friday, July 19, giving the Gunners 17 days to complete a deal for Sesko if they want to take him on their pre-season tour from the start, to bed in with his new teammates.
