Arsenal face HUGE competition in Benjamin Sesko chase

Cameron Smith

Updated: 17 Oct 2024 15:47 BST
3 min read

Manchester United will rival Arsenal in the race to sign RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko next summer.

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The Slovenia international snubbed significant interest from top Premier League clubs to sign a contract extension with Leipzig in May, but he is reportedly expected to leave the Bundesliga outfit in 2025.

Sesko remains on Arsenal’s radar as they search for a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, while Man Utd have now re-joined the race to sign him, as per The Daily Mail.

The Red Devils were linked with a move for Sesko before the summer arrival of Joshua Zirkzee, but Erik ten Hag’s side have registered their interest amid the Dutchman’s poor form.

Zirkzee hasn’t scored in his last nine Man Utd appearances, while fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund has only netted one in five games so far this season.

As a result, the Old Trafford side are eager to bolster their forward line with the addition of Sesko. The Slovenia international has six goals and three assists across all competitions in 2024-25, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has risen to beyond €50 million.

Marcel Schafer on Benjamin Sesko

In September, FootballTransfers spoke to RB Leipzig chief Marcel Schafer, who revealed why Sesko is wanted by Europe’s elite clubs.

“In my opinion, he’s a complete striker,” he said. “He’s tall, he’s quick, he’s good in the air, and he’s good at shooting with his left and right foot.”

However, Schafer believes Sesko can still improve as a player.

“We need to work a little bit on his first touch because if you want to be at the top, top, top, top and achieve the next level in every competition, the first touch, in my opinion, is really important,” the RB Leipzig managing director for sport admitted.

“If you have a good first touch that gives you space and that gives you time. And if you achieve one more level, that's something that you don't have. You don't have space and you don't have time.

Current ETV

Benjamin Sesko

F (C)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (C)

RB Leipzig

ETV Range

€37M - €61.7M

“So that's something where there is definitely space for potential, even though for me, he has everything that a top, top, top striker in the world needs.

“He has a good mindset, but he needs to keep it, and he especially needs to keep his hunger. He needs to keep his focus, to work very hard, and focus on his health, on his body and everything else.