Arsenal's 'good chance' of signing £55m-rated striker over Manchester United revealed

Arsenal have a ‘good chance’ of signing their former summer transfer target Benjamin Sesko over other clubs, such as Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with latest reports indicating that the Gunners have told the Slovenian’s camp they can offer him the best game time.

Sesko, 21, was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates ahead of the summer transfer window but opted instead to sign a contract extension with his current side RB Leipzig, in which a release clause of £55.3 million was removed and another was added, as well as a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with his current club that would allow him to leave in 2025.

Ultimately no striker was brought in to Arteta’s squad, despite links with several of Sesko’s counterparts, including Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Now, however, as Arsenal continue to try and usurp Manchester City as the Premier League champions, TeamTalk has reported that Mikel Arteta remains keen to add a ‘top-class striker’ into the mix. A number of candidates are said to be being monitored by the Gunners but the N7 club remain keen on the Leipzig star who is seen as a plyer who ‘fits the system perfectly’ and would be available to sign in the summer of 2025.

Teamtalk’s report adds that Arsenal have offered the 21-year-old the best guarantees of playing time and development. As Sesko wants guaranteed game time and the opportunity to be a consistent first-team player if he opts to leave his current Bundesliga side, the Gunners’ promises have put them in a strong position to win the race for his signature. The player’s agents are also said to have visited both the Emirates and Old Trafford in recent months with conversations reportedly being held with Arsenal and Manchester United over the conditions of a potential transfer.

Leipzig’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich are also said to hold a strong interest in the Slovenia international but as Sesko would likely end up as second to Harry Kane, the German giants are not the most attractive prospects for him. After scoring 18 goals in 42 matches last campaign, Sesko has backed up his impressive 2023/24 form by scoring six goals in eight matches so far in the 2024/25 term.