Benjamin Sesko sends Arsenal and Mikel Arteta a transfer reminder

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Sept 2024 07:52 BST
• 3 min read

Benjamin Sesko sent Arsenal and Mikel Arteta a transfer reminder on Monday evening with a stunning hattrick for Slovenia.

The Leipzig ace, who was close to joining Arsenal this summer, scored a brilliant treble as Slovenia beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in the UEFA Nations League.

Sesko scored twice in the first half - the opener a superb solo run and finish, the second a towering header.

He then completed his hattrick in the second half to crown a perfect performance.

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This performance will not have gone unnoticed at the Emirates, with Sesko being Arsenal’s number one attacking target during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal had been in negotiations for several weeks with Leipzig and Sesko, and believed that a deal was all but done - with only some formalities to complete before the 21-year-old would agree on personal terms.

Sesko had made it clear in negotiations that he wanted to join Arsenal over other interested clubs such as AC Milan.

And meetings with Sesko’s entourage had all pointed to the striker joining Arsenal.

It thus came as a huge shock when it was revealed at the start of June that Sesko would be staying at Leipzig, and he subsequently signed a new contract with the club.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal miss out on Sesko

Sesko had been Arsenal’s number one priority for the summer transfer market as they aimed to sign a top striker.

FootballTransfers can confirm that Arsenal launched a bid of €55m for the 21-year-old and were confident he would join the club.

The Gunners remain interested in Sesko ahead of the summer of 2025 and could return for the striker.

Indeed, the fact that Arsenal chose not to sign a natural number nine after Sesko’s rejection suggests they may make a new move.

His performance for Slovenia on Monday will certainly encourage them to do so.

Sesko scored 18 goals in 42 games for his club last season and went to Euro 2024 with Slovenia

This season he has one goal in three appearances for Leipzig.