RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko has reportedly given the green light to a summer move to Arsenal, who tried and failed to land him in 2024.
The Gunners have been unable to land a new centre-forward for the past two years, but it was not for the want of trying last summer, when they seemingly put all their eggs in the Sesko basket.
However, Arsenal had to temporarily accept defeat in their efforts to sign the Slovenian starlet, who elected to pen a new long-term contract with Leipzig until the end of the 2028-29 campaign.
The 21-year-old has continued his impressive development in Germany ever since, registering 19 goals and six assists in 39 matches across all competitions this season, but Leipzig are at risk of missing out on Champions League football.
Die Roten Bullen are only in fifth place in the Bundesliga table, and they would also be powerless to prevent Sesko from departing if a club triggers his release clause, which varies based on his performance.
Sesko ‘showing interest’ in joining Arsenal this summer
Barring an unforeseen long-term injury, Sesko is unlikely to be short of suitors when the summer rolls around, and GIVEMESPORT claims that the 21-year-old is leaning towards signing for Arsenal ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The outlet reports that Sesko has ‘given indications’ that he is prepared to leave the Red Bull Arena for the Emirates Stadium, and regardless of his release clause value, a fee of £60m should do the trick.
The Gunners’ interest has not waned despite failing to secure Sesko’s signature last summer, but Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United are said to have moved onto other targets.
However, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Newcastle United could provide Arsenal with stiff competition, although the red half of North London remains his ‘most likely destination’.
Sesko has provided 37 goals and eight assists in 81 appearances for Leipzig, who will make a healthy profit on the £20.5m they paid sister club Red Bull Salzburg for the Slovenian in 2023.
Could Arsenal sign Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres this summer?
News of Sesko giving Arsenal the thumbs-up comes not long after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres also supposedly ‘said yes’ to the Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta project in North London.
The Sweden international is believed to be a firm favourite of Arsenal’s new sporting director Berta, who apparently wanted to sign him for Atletico Madrid, and the Gunners’ interest has grown since his arrival.
While Gyokeres would be a cheaper alternative to Alexander Isak of Newcastle United, he would still command around £55m, a fee that Arsenal surely cannot stump up if they are also going for Sesko.
The Gunners will also be after a new left-winger and number six in the summer window, in addition to a new goalkeeper, and four signings could easily take their summer spending up to the £200m mark.
Berta will therefore have to choose between one of Sesko or Gyokeres, a difficult decision made even harder by both strikers supposedly being keen on joining, although that at least shows that Arteta and co are doing plenty of things right.
