Arsenal learn worrying Benjamin Sesko transfer update as RB Leipzig plot summer ‘bidding war’

Add as preferred source on Google

Benjamin Sesko is one name on Arsenal’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window but, there’s a problem.

Arsenal fans will be tired of hearing about issues regarding the Gunners recruiting an out-and-out number nine but, the hurdles keep coming. 

Mikel Arteta hinted that the summer transfer window was a failure, taking aim at his lack of depth despite having time and resources to recruit sufficiently. 

Instead, Arsenal headed into the season with two strikers, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, with both players now ruled out for the campaign.

• READ MORE: What Arsenal are doing after Kai Havertz injury with stance on free agents and shock new striker option

Arsenal transfer plot to sign Benjamin Sesko takes a turn

Havertz suffered a hamstring tear during Arsenal’s mid-season trip to Dubai, which was meant to be a positive break. 

Instead, the Gunners will return without their source of goals, leaving Arteta with three attackers available; Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. 

The news saw Arsenal fans take aim at the Kroenke’s for their lack of direction in the transfer window, with all eyes now on the summer to impress. 

One target is Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal are admirers of but, opted to not explore in January in a bid to maintain a strong relationship with RB Leipzig.

While Arsenal and Leipzig have a gentleman’s agreement for Sesko, the narrative isn’t contractual and now, the Bundesliga side could be about to infuriate the Gunners.

That’s according to BILD, who report Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea’s interest in the 21-year-old striker, noting the gentleman’s agreement. 

The German outlet claims that Leipzig could exploit the fact that the agreement is not a ‘fixed exit clause’, having pencilled in a €70m agreement with Arsenal for the player’s possible transfer.

BILD state that Leipzig ‘are hoping for a bidding war’ between several clubs rather than maintaining strong ties with Arsenal, expelling their €70m fee and replacing it with a €100m asking price.

Now that the Bundesliga club are aware of significant interest in Sesko, they’re willing to squeeze as much as possible out of a deal, which is bad news for those in N5.

Arsenal must remain close to Sesko’s transfer plans

At just 21, Sesko already has 94 domestic career goals, telling why Arsenal are charmed by his talent.

So much so that Arsenal invited Sesko’s representatives to the Emirates, understanding that relationships need to remain strong if a deal is ever to be struck.

Equally, it’s understandable that Leipzig want the best for the club when it comes to potentially parting ways with the talisman, resulting in an expected price hike. 

A change in price is expected for a player who is in fine form but, Arsenal mustn’t lose sight of their target, given how having tight purse strings has turned out in the past.

Arsenal turned down the chance to sign Alexander Isak due to a differing opinion on his value before he joined Newcastle and now, the Swede is one of the Premier League’s best.

If Arteta wants to impress and recruit well in the summer, the Gunners might have to accept having to pay a far greater fee for Sesko, whose demand is growing.