Last year, it was reported that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko had a preference for a move to Arsenal – but the Gunners might now have to shell out a staggering amount to secure his signature.
Mikel Arteta’s squad had a turbulent 2024/25 season, once again concluding without any silverware or a major final. They had to settle for runner-up in the Premier League for the third consecutive year, and their Champions League campaign ended in disappointment at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
One standout statistic from an injury-riddled season was that, for the first time since 1924, no Arsenal player managed to score 10 league goals. For a while now, the north London club has been looking to sign a striker, and Slovenian wonderkid Sesko is one name that has consistently been linked with a move to the Emirates.
In May 2024, the Mirror reported that the 21-year-old favoured Arteta’s team over any other potential suitors, though now, the route to finalising his transfer has reportedly become much more expensive.
Reports linking Sesko to the Premier League a year ago revealed that, among Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, he would prefer to join the Gunners.
This revelation was followed in January by the claim that a £60million gentleman’s agreement had been struck between the player and his German club, meaning he could depart this summer for that sum.
Speculation was rife in January about a hefty offer from Arsenal for Leipzig’s Sesko, with Barcelona also vying for the forward.
Although no sizeable bid materialised at that time, recent reports claim even a £60m proposal now wouldn’t suffice to pry him away from his current club.
The Telegraph has recently suggested that to lure Sesko away, suitors including the Gunners would be looking at a more considerable sum of £92m.
Sesko impressed with a haul of 21 goals in 45 matches for Leipzig last season, but with his club missing out on European action, a sell could become necessary to bolster their financial status. The north London side are deliberating internally whether to try for a deal with Leipzig or pivot to signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Regarding Sesko himself, he left the door open for a summer move, stating in April: “We’ll see what happens. It’s open, anything can happen
Arteta also stayed coy regarding the summer window plans, though revealing that while they have a budget planned with sporting director Andrea Berta, they are prepared to adjust if the right opportunity arises.
“The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, it’s always more,” Arteta said.
When you build a house, it’s always more. Normally, this happens. You prepare for different scenarios. Then, unfortunate things happen. Sometimes we want a player, and suddenly we have an injury, or that player gets injured.
“There are so many variables that can happen, but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be, and then let’s see if we can do it.”
Arsenal’s forward line could see some improvement by way of the transfer market with the window opening briefly from Sunday until June 10 due to the Club World Cup, suggesting Edu and his team might act swiftly to address Arteta’s pressing concerns up front.
