Arsenal and Arteta get second transfer knockback in 24 hours after Sesko blow

Robin Bairner

12 Jun 2024 07:12 BST
4 min read

Benjamin Sesko rejected Arsenal — © IMAGO

Arsenal received the disappointing news that Benjamin Sesko has chosen to remain at RB Leipzig for next season on Tuesday, but this blow has been followed up by a second, with another target for Mikel Arteta’s side knocking the Gunners back.

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Sesko emerged as Arsenal’s priority No.9 target at the beginning of May, with FootballTransfers exclusively reporting the Gunners had changed priority in that area of the field due to the fine form of Kai Havertz.

Although wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United among others, the striker has decided that he will remain with RB Leipzig for another season.

STATS

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

42

Games
18

Goals
2

Assists

While Arsenal will be forced to pivot in the centre-forward area, their options have also been reduced out wide, too.

In late May, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Arteta had earmarked Athletic Club’s Nico Williams as a target.

The Gunners were so keen on the player that they were ready to trigger his release fee of €50 million.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (R), AM (RL)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (R), AM (RL)

Athletic

ETV Range

€28.3M - €47.2M

Sport states that Williams has “ruled out” the possibility of going to the Premier League as well as PSG to focus on moving to Barcelona next season.

The Catalan source reports: “Several Premier League clubs have asked and if he plays a strong Euro 2024 he could receive astronomical offers, but Nico would like to stay in Spain and it seems that Barcelona are his only chance after Kylian Mbappe’s signing for Real Madrid.”

Nico Williams’ thoughts could change

It may be that Nico Williams has to re-assess his transfer stance at some point, however.

Barcelona’s financial position remains poor, and with three years left on his contract, there is simply no prospect of him leaving for anything less than his €50m release figure.

Generating that type of money to sign one player promises to be difficult for the Blaugrana, so if that becomes apparent to Nico, the Premier League and Arsenal could look a very tempting proposition indeed.