Benjamin Sesko makes major Arsenal transfer demand as contract detail emerges

Benjamin Sesko wants to insert a release clause in his contract at Arsenal if the Gunners complete a deal to sign the RB Leipzig striker this summer, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a new centre-forward this summer and Sesko appears to be the number one target. The 22-year-old scored 21 goals for Leipzig last season and looks destined to secure a move away from Germany.

Sesko signed a new deal at the Bundesliga side after Arsenal attempted to sign him for £55million. However, reports in Germany this week have claimed that the Gunners have reached an agreement with the Slovenian over personal terms.

A deal with Leipzig is still to be thrashed out but German publication BILD have claimed that their offer won’t fall below their expectations. The report adds that the bid will fall somewhere between £68.5m to £85.5m.

Now, journalist Duncan Castles has revealed how the striker has demanded a release clause in his contract at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking on The Transfers Podcast, Castles added that Arsenal would be ‘unlikely’ to agree to the condition.

“I understand that Sesko is asking for an exit clause on any deal he agrees with Arsenal and he would like that release clause to be set at just 20% increase on whatever price they end up paying for him,” he said.

“It’s quite unusual to ask for something like that when you’re moving from, let’s say a second-tier European club to one that is perceived as a first-tier club and one of the most financially affluent clubs in European football and I think it’s unlikely that Arsenal would agree to a deal on those terms.”

Elsewhere, another player Arsenal are looking to sign in the coming weeks is Martin Zubimendi. Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that the north Londoners will pay slightly more than the midfielder’s €60m (£51.2m) release clause, although the fee will be split into installments.