Chelsea’s striker target has reportedly just turned down offers from Saudi Arabia because his ambition is to stay in European football.
Chelsea are linked in the transfer rumour mill with several different centre-forwards, so it definitely looks like a new No 9 is on the cards at Stamford Bridge next season.
Blues attacker Nicolas Jackson had a decent debut campaign last year, scoring 17 goals across all competitions, but he could do with an extra bit of help in the squad.
The Telegraph previously claimed that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca would like a new forward as one of three priority signings this summer.
Striker turns down Saudi Arabia offer
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has signalled his intent to stay in European football after rejecting offers from cash-rich clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Apparently, the 21-year-old striker has ignored a couple of offers, which included salaries worth a staggering €30m (£26m) a season.
Romano has explained that Sesko’s on the radar, but there’s nothing advanced there yet.
He told GiveMeSport: “So at the moment, with Arsenal, it’s not something advanced or something close. Despite all the reports at the moment, we still have to see what the player wants to do. The first step will be with Leipzig.
“He received two very big proposals. It was around 30 million euros net per season salary from Saudi. But Sesko decided to say no, because he wants to continue in Europe at the best competitive level.”
Benjamin Sesko a Chelsea target
Sesko, who scored 18 goals last season during his debut year with Leipzig, looks set to stay in Europe. Can Chelsea win the race to sign him, though?
Foot Mercato reports that Chelsea have made contact with Sesko’s representatives after identifying him as one of their main attacking targets.
Elsewhere, The Evening Standard has said that Chelsea may be prepared to trigger the £56m release clause of Leipzig striker Sesko in order to beat Arsenal to him.
At the age of 21, he’s still a forward that needs to develop and isn’t a guarantee. However, his potential looks off the scale and he’d compete well with Jackson.