Arsenal have now learned the ‘necessary’ step that sporting director Edu has to make to secure the transfer of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig during the summer window.
The Gunners have recognised the 20-year-old as one of their potential striker targets for this summer. Boss Mikel Arteta is eager to improve his attacking options after an underwhelming term from the out-and-out centre-forwards at Arsenal, having needed to rely on Kai Havertz.
Arteta turned to the midfielder to lead the attack during the Premier League run-in and saw Havertz score eight goals and six assists in 12 of Arsenal’s final 16 games. Gabriel Jesus only scored four goals in 27 matches all season, while Eddie Nketiah also only hit home five in 27.
Arsenal can turn Benjamin Sesko’s head but must move as the transfer window opens
Yet despite the success that Havertz had whilst the 24-year-old played as a No9 in his debut term at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are exploring a transfer from RB Leipzig for Sesko. That is according to Dean Jones, who also says that a switch to N5 would turn the Slovenian’s head.
Sesko would be tempted to join Arsenal just one year on from arriving at RB Leipzig if Arteta and Edu make a serious attempt to secure a transfer. Die Roten Bullen welcomed the 28-cap attacker from RB Salzburg last July in a delayed deal they originally agreed in August 2022.
READ MORE: Arsenal key dates for the 24/25 season including transfers and fixture releases
Life in Germany was initially tough for the attacker but Sesko turned a corner at the turn of the year. He ended the 2023/24 season with 18 goals in 42 matches across all competitions. Sesko hit 11 of his goals in 2024, including once in each of his final seven Bundesliga games.
But if Arsenal now want to agree Sesko’s transfer, Jones claims it will be ‘necessary’ that Edu moves to finalise a deal with RB Leipzig and the Radece native as soon as the window opens in mid-June. Although the Gunners would not be able to register Sesko’s transfer until July 1.
Benjamin Sesko’s release clause at RB Leipzig has increased in value
Sesko might also cost Arsenal €65m (£55m) to sign this summer, according to Philipp Hinze. The Sky Sports Germany reporter notes the value of his release clause increased from €50m (£42.5m) after the Slovenian striker met certain performance-related clauses in his contract.
The clause could have risen as high as €75m (£64m), as well, as Die Roten Bullen banked on Sesko hitting the ground running in Saxony. But RB Leipzig only finished the Bundesliga term in fourth place. VfL Wolfsburg also edged the Red Bull outfit in the DFB-Pokal second round.