‘Special’ Arsenal target deals Arteta transfer blow as Gunners eye £44m striker

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RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko has now dealt Mikel Arteta a major blow amid Arsenal scouting the Slovenian striker in view of his transfer in the upcoming January window.

That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports that Arsenal are one of several sides with eyes on Sesko. The 20-year-old has hit the ground running at RB Leipzig since joining in July from their sister side RB Salzburg. He has scored six goals in 15 games in all competitions so far.

Sesko has registered half of his haul across eight outings in the Bundesliga, plus a goal in the Champions League. Even though he has not been a regular starter for boss Marco Rose, who has only fielded the attacker from the off four times. Sesko has only played for 484 minutes.

Arsenal are scouting Sesko after his strong start at RB Leipzig

Yet, despite the 23-cap Slovenian mostly being an impact player, teams are already targeting his services. Calciomercato noted recently that AC Milan, Arsenal and Chelsea are scouting Sesko this season. The Gunners and Blues also have good working relations with RB Leipzig.

But a deal would now cost his interested suitors, with further Premier League teams on alert, more than double the €20m (£17.5m) Sesko cost this summer. RB Leipzig believe he is worth at least €45-50m (£39.5-44m) today. The 6 ft 4 striker also signed a contract to June 2028.

Sesko has no interest in leaving Saxony in a January transfer

Sesko has no interest in breaking out of his five-year contract within the first few months, as well. Jacobs has now claimed that the striker RB Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell calls ‘special’ has absolutely no interest in leaving Saxony so soon after his arrival at the club.

The striker is determined to spend at least a full season in the Bundesliga before considering his future again. Sesko may even stay at RB Leipzig for the 2024/25 season, as well, to deal a major blow to Arteta’s hopes of his transfer to Arsenal. A January transfer is beyond unlikely.