Arsenal have reportedly held concrete talks with RB Leipzig and striker Benjamin Sesko over a potential summer move to the Emirates Stadium.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta is desperate to land an elite forward this summer and has personally approved the pursuit of the 21-year-old Slovenian striker.
Sesko netted 21 goals for Leipzig last season — fewer than fellow Arsenal targets Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen. However, at just 21, Sesko is five years younger than both and is seen as a long-term investment who could grow into a Premier League superstar.
Despite their focus on Sesko, Arsenal have not completely pulled out of the race for Gyokeres, who has also drawn interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Talks are currently underway between Arsenal, RB Leipzig, and Sesko’s camp, with the Gunners making the striker their top priority. This isn’t Arsenal’s first attempt — they showed interest in Sesko last summer and again in January, but failed to secure a striker in either window, a move that eventually cost them as the season progressed.
It’s believed Sesko has an agreement with Leipzig to leave this summer, though the German side are reportedly holding out for a massive £92.5m fee. Arsenal are expected to negotiate closer to £60–70m.
Arteta, along with his backroom staff and club executives, is pushing hard for Sesko’s signing, seeing him as a key part of Arsenal’s future attack.
Since his £20m move from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023, Sesko has impressed in the Bundesliga and has 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia, with many backing him to become the greatest player in the country’s history.
While Gyokeres and Osimhen outscored him last season — with 54 and 36 goals respectively — Arsenal believe Sesko’s ceiling is higher and more sustainable in the long run.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are no longer in the race for any of the trio, having agreed a deal to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.