Arsenal face a three-way battle to sign Mikel Arteta’s preferred striker target as Manchester United and Chelsea are also keen.
After links with several attackers including Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, it now appears that Arsenal will pursue RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko.
The 21-year-old has a release clause of around £55m, and Sesko’s speed means that in addition to a centre-forward role, he could even appear on the wings.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United have thrown their hat in the ring to sign the Slovenian striker, who once scored an outrageous volley against Sweden as a teenager in the UEFA Nations League.
If all three clubs match his release clause, Sesko’s choice of destination will be up to him, and given the current state of all three clubs, a move to the Emirates will undoubtedly be the best for his career.
A move to Arsenal would be better for Benjamin Sesko than Chelsea or Man Utd
All three clubs keen on Sesko currently have other options at centre-forward. Kai Havertz ended the season in superb form for Arsenal, whilst Nicolas Jackson and Rasmus Hojlund both enjoyed productive debut campaigns in the Premier League.
Havertz is the most versatile option of the three, and given his ability to play in midfield, despite some previous struggles in the position under Arteta, he is the option who Sesko could play both instead of and alongside, with the most ease.
The form of the German, as well as Arsenal’s strong end to the season, means that Sesko would have the least pressure to deliver immediately should he move to the Emirates, whereas United and Chelsea would be more reliant on the young striker to hit the ground running in terms of goals.
Sesko would also be joining a side which scored 91 Premier League goals this season, and would thrive off the creativity produced by Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
He would be afforded no such luxury at United, where Hojlund was starved of service, and it remains to be seen how Chelsea will fare under new boss Enzo Maresca.
Arsenal is the best place for young talents to thrive, Chelsea and Man Utd have killed players’ confidence
Sesko only needs to look at the other young players at Chelsea and Man United to realise that Arsenal is the best place for his development.
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were in such poor form, and under such pressure, that neither made the England squad for the European Championships after a difficult season. Hojlund has been starved of service upfront, whilst Antony continues to falter under Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea thought they had pulled off a masterstroke when they hijacked Arsenal’s deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, but the winger has had his confidence sapped after playing in such an unstable team.
Another former Arsenal target in Moises Caicedo has also struggled at times at Stamford Bridge, whilst the player he replaced, Jorginho, has shone in North London.
Sesko, who has been described as a physical “monster,” should heed these warning signs and realise that at Arsenal he will be given the patience to develop, will join an already firing team in attack, and the most stable project when it comes to Arteta and his long-term plans.
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