Arsenal hijack 18-goal Chelsea target with double money £55M release 

Arsenal had scouts in attendance to watch Benjamin Sesko in action on Saturday, aiming to gain an advantage over Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle in the race for the £55 million-rated RB Leipzig striker.

Sesko’s Rising Profile

According to HITC, one day before Manchester City clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title, Arsenal—who narrowly missed out on the championship—sent scouts to observe Sesko, a player poised to become one of the summer’s most talked-about transfers. Sesko’s recent surge in form has triggered a £55 million release clause in his contract, making him a hot commodity.

Competition for Sesko’s Signature

Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United have long been admirers of Sesko. However, Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag is reportedly seeking a more seasoned striker to support Rasmus Hojlund. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have also shown interest in the Slovenian forward.

Arsenal, on the other hand, appear to be intensifying their pursuit. The Gunners’ scouts witnessed Sesko score in his seventh consecutive Bundesliga match during Leipzig’s 2-2 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on the final day of the season.

Sesko’s Journey and Impact

Sesko, now 20, joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022. He has netted 18 goals in his debut season in a major European league, with 14 of those in the Bundesliga. Known for his explosive finishing and physical presence, Sesko would add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack, complementing the styles of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Elvis Basanovic, Sesko’s agent, praised his client: “I think he is one of the best talents in the world at his age.” Although comparisons to former Salzburg star Erling Haaland are common, Basanovic prefers to highlight Sesko’s unique attributes and potential for a distinct career trajectory.

“Sesko is a very complete striker who can score in various ways—headers, both feet, from inside the box, and from long range,” Basanovic explained. “He is also incredibly fast, reaching speeds over 36 km/h (22.3 mph), making him one of the fastest forwards globally.”

Arsenal’s Striker Search

In addition to Sesko, Arsenal is exploring other options. The club is considering Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, Besiktas’ wonderkid Semih Kilicsoy, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Sporting Lisbon’s prolific Viktor Gyokeres.

Leipzig veteran Yussuf Poulsen commended Sesko, stating, “His skills as a centre-forward are exactly what every club is looking for. He’s tall, quick, technically strong, and always willing to learn.”

Head coach Marco Rose added, “Sesko runs over 12 kilometers per game and averages 30 sprints. These are exceptional numbers.”

As the transfer window approaches, Arsenal’s interest in Sesko signals their intent to strengthen their squad with top-tier talent, potentially making Sesko one of the standout transfers of the summer.