Arsenal set to switch focus to £56m striker as race for lethal goalscorer intensifies
The Bundesliga side do not wish to let their star goalscorer leave despite Arsenal’s increased attentions
Arsenal look to be ramping up their pursuit of the Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko with his current side, RB Leipzig, working hard to keep hold of him. According to the latest report from Football Insider, the Gunners are plotting a move this summer but the Bundesliga club will place all their efforts in getting him to stay in Germany.
The 20-year-old striker has a £56 million release clause in his contract with all reports indicating this must be triggered before the end of June if interested clubs wish to avoid negotiating a transfer fee with RB Leipzig. However, Leipzig are now attempting to remove this buyout clause from his contract in a bid to keep him at the Red Bull Arena, with his current contract set to run out in 2028.
The north London side have made no secret of their wish for to bring an out-and-out striker into their mix ahead of the 2024/25 campaign with Sesko the latest target. The Gunners were rumoured prioritising Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, but Football Insider noted that it is highly likely Mikel Arteta’s side would be priced out of a deal for the Swedish striker as the Portuguese champions seek the full £86m release clause.
While money is said to be made available to Arteta once the transfer window opens, he is not said to have unlimited funds, making Sesko a more viable purchase. Gyokeres, 25, has registered 43 goals and 15 assists in 49 games across all competitions after signing from Coventry City in 2023.
Sesko is, however, not a poor second option having scored 18 goals in 42 games for Leipzig since signing from Red Bull Salzburg last summer for £20m. The Slovenian also has 11 goals in 28 international appearances but Slovenia’s all-time top goalscorer Zlatko Zahovic has already admitted he believes Sesko will surpass his tally.
Sesko was 19 with only four international goals at the time of Zahovic’s comment but the former Benfica star said of is compatriot: “I have no doubt whatsoever that Sesko will surpass me. I look at my record like it’s gone. It’s the past. He will definitely correct those numbers.”