EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal launch Sesko bid

Steve Kay

Updated: 2 Jun 2024 03:58 CDT
3 min read

Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal, RB Leipzig — © IMAGO

Arsenal have made a concrete step towards signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko – but the Gunners have not submitted a bid big enough to trigger the player’s release clause.

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As FootballTransfers exclusively revealed, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta switched his focus to signing Sesko during the spring, when Kai Havertz’s hot form in front of goal convinced him that he did not need to blow a huge portion of his summer transfer budget on a player worth €100 million or more.

Sesko has since intimated that he is open to joining the Emirates club ahead of other options in the Premier League, including Chelsea and Manchester United.

STATS

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (RL), AM (L)

RB Leipzig

42

Games
18

Goals
2

Assists

Whether a deal is struck will now ultimately come down to whether Arsenal are willing to trigger the player’s release clause, which has risen to €65m due to his performances for Leipzig this season.

FootballTransfers can confirm that Arsenal have launched a bid of €55m for the 21-year-old in the hope this is accepted.

Such practice is typical of the transfer strategy of the club when they are aware that a player is open to joining them, which is the case with Sesko.

Given the interest in the forward, it is likely that the Bundesliga side knock this offer back and hold out for his full release clause.

Havertz to retain the No.9 spot

FootballTransfers’ sources have indicated that although Arsenal are prepared to spend big on Sesko, the plan is for Havertz to start next season in the No.9 role.

The move for the RB Leipzig hitman, who scored 18 goals in 42 games for his club last season, does cast additional doubt over the future of Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates Stadium, with the Brazil international having been linked with a potential move away from the Gunners for several weeks.

FootballTransfers previously revealed that Arsenal have a record sum available to spend in the transfer window, and the signing of Sesko is likely to be the first major piece of business that will be done.