Jurgen Klopp is involved in the process around Benjamin Sesko’s potential transfer to Arsenal, but won’t ultimately influence the financial side of the deal, Arsenal Insider understands.
Sesko remains Arsenal’s priority target this summer, although the Gunners are still considering Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, as talks with RB Leipzig continue.
Some reports suggest that the German club are demanding around £67 million for the Slovenian, and that Andrea Berta is unwilling to stump up this fee.
While discussions over the fee are ongoing, Arsenal Insider can reveal that Klopp will not have a say on this aspect of the potential transfer.
Jurgen Klopp’s role in Benjamin Sesko’s transfer to Arsenal
Sesko enjoyed another promising season for Leipzig in 2024/25, netting 21 goals across all competitions.
This form has inevitably prompted interest from a host of clubs, although Arsenal have always been at the front of the queue for the player.
The Gunners have laid the groundwork for a potential deal for the 22-year-old for some time now, and remain well placed to land his services.
The interest from the North Londoners predates Klopp’s appointment as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer.
The German assumed this position in October 2024, and while he’ll advise the squad-building decision makers at Leipzig about Sesko, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed to Arsenal Insider that he’ll not be able to intervene with agreements that materialised before his arrival.
“He’s overseen it, he’s overseen it, definitely,” Bailey said.
“Of course, he plays a part; he’s part of the process. However, he’s not the key man behind the financial side of the deal. He’s clearly advising and has a major say. He’s part of most of the Red Bull processes.
“That said, the agreements that Sesko may have had with Leipzig about his future are likely to have been reached before Klopp was in the role he’s in, so he’ll mostly be advising, and his voice will have an impact because he’s hugely influential.”
Benjamin Sesko is a ‘bit frustrated’ with Leipzig’s stance on Arsenal transfer
Reports emerged last week that Arsenal are preparing to turn to their ‘Plan C’ option after struggling to agree a deal with Leipzig or Sporting for Sesko or Gyokeres.
While these suggestions are somewhat premature, the conversations on the Sesko front haven’t developed as quickly as the player and Arsenal would’ve liked.
Bailey revealed to Arsenal Insider that the Slovenia international is starting to get frustrated by Leipzig’s unwillingness to budge on their demands.
“The deal is ongoing,” he said.
“Sesko is further advanced than anyone else and the player is becoming a bit frustrated with Leipzig’s stance, that’s what I’ve been told.
“He does know, however, that this is a huge amount of money and a huge deal for anyone to sort out and that these things take time. These things don’t get done overnight and we’re seeing that now.”
Arsenal may be using the Gyokeres deal to pressure Leipzig into accepting a lower offer for Sesko, with the Emirates hierarchy still relatively confident they’ll eventually secure their man.
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