Arsenal have now been dealt a major transfer blow as key target Benjamin Sesko has decided to remain at RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old striker was Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice as Arsenal aim to sign a new centre-forward, and it was previously reported that the Gunners were beating Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign him.
Sesko would have cost around £55m due to a release clause in his contract, meaning the decision over his future was in his hands rather than his club’s, but he has now decided to remain with Leipzig and sign a new deal, in what is a massive setback in Arsenal’s transfer plans both for this summer and beyond.
Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko to sign new RB Leipzig contract
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that despite the interest in him, Sesko will sign a new contract to stay at RB Leipzig, and his new deal will see him follow the path of Erling Haaland.
Haaland elected not to leave Borussia Dortmund in 2021, and signed a new deal to remove his release clause, but with a gentlemen’s agreement that he could leave in the future, and he joined Manchester City for a huge fee the following year.
“Benjamin Sesko has decided to STAY at RB Leipzig and sign new contract on improved terms! Decision made for talented striker, similar to what Haaland decided back in the days at BVB,” he posted on X.
“Sesko will stay at Leipzig with a new gentlemen agreement for future exit.
“We expect Benjamin Sesko to sign a new contract at RB Leipzig. It’s agreed, it’s going to be completed really soon. Sesko is NOT going to the Premier League. From what I understand, he believes this is the best decision for his development,” he added on his YouTube channel.
What Benjamin Sesko Leipzig contract means for Arsenal striker plans
The form of Kai Havertz in recent months has meant the urgent need for a starting striker is now reduced, but Sesko was seen as the perfect target who could develop his game at the club under initial low pressure, and his speed could also see him appear on the wings for Arsenal.
Arsenal still want a striker, with Eddie Nketiah expected to leave in a boost for profit and sustainability regulations.
Sesko following Haaland’s path in terms of an agreement at Dortmund means that there will no longer be a release clause, and if he continues to develop well, he will cost significantly more than what he would have this summer.
This does not fully close the door to a potential Arsenal move, but it makes it extremely difficult. If Arsenal sign a different forward this summer, with Bologna attacker Joshua Zirkzee among those linked, then they will likely not pursue Sesko in the future.
If Arsenal choose not to sign a striker now to continue pursuing Sesko next year, then they could be leaving themselves short with no guarantee that the Slovenian joins in the future.