Chelsea transfer talks 'begin' as they aim to hijack Arsenal's bid for much-needed striker

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Arsenal have been pursuing the striker since the summer transfer window and have been linked closely in January.

Chelsea are aiming to bolster their attack late on in the January transfer window, as they aim to keep pace in the race for a Champions League spot in the Premier League this season.

The Blues currently sit sixth in the league table, one point off fourth place. They lost 3-1 to Manchester City in their last game at the Etihad, where Noni Madueke put the Blues ahead after just three minutes.

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However, goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, helped City to three points and Pep Guardiola's side are now back in the top four after a poor first half of the season.

Reports have linked Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku with a move away, but now they may have identified their replacement, and it could come as a major blow to rivals Arsenal.

Chelsea ‘open talks’ with Arsenal transfer target Sesko

According to new reports, Chelsea have identified RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as a target late on in the January window, and could make a move for the 21-year-old, potentially hijacking any move that Arsenal have made. TeamTalk is reporting that Chelsea are in talks over a potential deal with two Bundesliga strikers, Sesko and Bayern Munich attacker Mathys Tel. They had previously been linked with Tel as a replacement for Nkunku.

The report says that Chelsea are considering a bid for Sesko, which may force Arsenal into some form of move, as they have been keen on him for an extended period of time.

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The Gunners have been heavily linked with signing Sesko, as they look for a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, who suffered an ACL injury earlier in January. If Chelsea were to land the 21-year-old, it could come as a major blow to Mikel Arteta’s hopes of signing a striker.

Sky Sports have reported that RB Leipzig have priced Sesko at around £70m, as they are reluctant to sell the striker, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season.

Sesko has been at RB Leipzig since July 2023, when they signed him from Austrian side RB Salzburg for £20m. He has since scored 32 goals in 69 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Sesko reveals preferred destination between Chelsea and Arsenal

Recent reports have suggested that Sesko would prefer to join Arsenal over Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premier League as interest in the Slovenian attacker mounts.

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With his future at Leipzig up in the air this month, Arsenal seem to be the front-runner in the pursuit of the attacker, and if they were to make a move for him, he would most likely be open to the move. The Gunners currently have just one fit striker, Kai Havertz, who isn’t a natural number nine, the type of player that Arsenal might need if they want to catch Liverpool in the title race.

Asked by Slovenian TV channel Arena Sport if Sesko had the quality to play for Arsenal, Sesko’s agent said last week: "I think you should ask Mr. Arteta about that. But I think Sesko could suit many clubs because he has different football skills. He can play alone in attack, with two strikers, a little further back, he has height, speed, technical speed.”

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