Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has been discussing when Chelsea and other clubs may be able to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Benjamin Sesko will definitely not be leaving RB Leipzig this summer, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that he is close to putting pen to paper on a new contract at the Red Bull Arena.
It comes as a major blow to Chelsea, who were interested in signing the 21-year-old.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, the Blues were prepared to activate Sesko’s release clause.
However, while Sesko is set to stay at Leipzig for the 2024/25 season, a move after then has not been ruled out.
When could Benjamin Sesko leave RB Leipzig?
On Tuesday, Romano shared on X that Sesko will sign a new contract at Leipzig until 2029.
It is very unlikely, though, that the Slovenian will remain at the German club for that long.
While Leipzig are about to extend Sesko’s existing deal, there will be a “gentlemen[‘s] agreement” for him to leave either next year or in 2026, Romano also revealed.
It means Chelsea could still have the chance to land the Slovenia international; they are just going to have to wait a little longer if they still want him.
Who could Chelsea sign now?
With Sesko off the table for the time being, it now looks like Chelsea have turned to Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.
In fact, one journalist, Guillermo Arango, has claimed that the Blues have already struck a €50m (£42m) deal with Villa to sign Duran.
It is a lot of money for someone who has scored just five goals in the Premier League since arriving in England last year.
The fact that the Colombian does have experience playing in the English top flight, though, is something that he has over Sesko, who was recently described as a “powerful” player by Tony Cascarino. And still just 20 years of age, Duran has time to get better.