Arsenal have been handed a major blow as their key target Benjamin Sesko will now stay at RB Leipzig this summer.
Mikel Arteta is keen on adding an attacker to his squad, and Sesko appeared to emerge as his first choice target in recent weeks.
Arsenal want a striker to add to the squad, but the recent outstanding form of Kai Havertz in the role has meant that a younger forward who can be eased in is needed, rather than an immediate starter, and Sesko was seen as ideal.
However, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all making offers for Sesko, he had a decision to make, and the Slovenian will now stay at Leipzig and sign a new contract, much to the surprise of some Arsenal fans given the attraction of Arteta’s project over the other interested parties.
Why Benjamin Sesko rejected Arsenal move to stay at Leipzig
Havertz’s form has created some difficulty in this transfer window for Arsenal, as it is now clear that he will be the starter next season, meaning that any striker target will be sceptical about their own game time.
Journalist Dean Jones has now revealed that Sesko’s decision to stay at Leipzig may have been influenced by Havertz’s form in a striker role, which he was definitely aware of during talks with Arsenal.
“One of the conditions Sesko had become aware of at Arsenal was that he would not be guaranteed a starting role – don’t think it was a deal breaker but obviously at this stage of his career, staying at Leipzig probably better in terms of growth,” he posted on X.
Arsenal now face striker transfer dilemma after Benjamin Sesko rejection
Whilst Havertz’s form is a positive, and reduces the need for a centre-forward to make an immediate impact, it does make Arteta and Edu Gaspar’s job this summer a lot more difficult.
Finding a striker who would be willing to join, knowing that they will not initially be the first pick upfront, is a difficult task when trying to add quality to the squad.
The striker that comes in needs to have the potential to develop into a true goalscorer, and essentially replaces Eddie Nketiah on the bench initially, but Sesko has now shown that this may not be of appeal to players of his quality.
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Arsenal could wait for Sesko to potentially become available again next year, but leaving themselves short upfront may be a risk they are not willing to take.