Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners lead race, player 'sold' on project, 'intriguing' admission

Arsenal will inevitably sign a striker this summer after missing out on a new frontman during the January transfer window. The Gunners have been made to regret their shortcomings in the winter market, with Kai Havertz since picking up a serious hamstring injury that will keep him out for the season.

Mikel Arteta has now been left mightily short, but he won’t be able to properly rectify the situation until the summer, and it seems as though RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko is very close to the top of the list when it comes to likely targets. Here we round up the latest on the situation.

Latest report

According to BILD, Arsenal are at the top of the list when it comes to clubs most likely to land Sesko, but there is also reported interest from AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Chelea and Real Madrid. It’s reported Sesko agreed with RB Leizpig that he could leave for around £58.2million this summer when putting pen-to-paper on a contract that lasts until 2029.

But the complicating factor is that there is no fixed release clause in the contract, so Leipzig are still said to be hoping to maximise their earnings with the help of a bidding war. But it looks as though they will allow Sesko to leave in some form this summer, but it’s going to be pricey deal for whoever pulls it off.

Arsenal lead the race

Journalist ben Jacobs believes Arsenal have the advantage in the race to sign Sesko, telling GiveMeSport: “Now, Chelsea also like Benjamin Sesko. The good news for Joel (podcast host) is that I think Arsenal are leading that race. So I can foresee a situation where everyone wants Alexander Isak. He doesn’t leave Newcastle. Arsenal go for Benjamin Sesko. Player’s sold on the project.

“He just wanted to wait and do an extra season at Leipzig. But when he was presented with that choice between Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Sesko picked Arsenal and then made a secondary choice that he was going to stay at Leipzig. So Arsenal are quite confident on Sesko.”

What Sesko has said

Sesko hasn’t spoken about transfer links himself since back in October, and he wasn’t too expansive on the topic back then, making it clear that his focus is on what he can control on the pitch.

“I don’t comment on transfer rumours,” he said. “I’m happy in Leipzig and that’s why I recently extended my contract. I want to achieve even more great things here, Leipzig wants to grow a lot and I want to accompany the team on this very intriguing journey.”

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