Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given the go-ahead for concrete talks for a move for Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko to take place, according to reports
The Slovenian striker has been a long-term target for Arsenal, with the Gunners showing an interest last summer and back in the January window. They came up against resistance from Leipzig both times, but the player is expected to leave the club this summer.As reported by football.london, Sesko is one of the names on the list of potential striker targets for Arsenal this season alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak. Arteta is keen to add a centre-forward to his squad after being without a recognised striker in the final months of the season following injury to both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Reports on Thursday evening now claim that Arsenal have made formal contact with both Leipzig and the player over a summer move for Sesko. Giving an update on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano revealed that contact has been made following the approval of Arteta.
“On Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal have started making direct contacts for the Benjamin Sesko deal. So from interest, from appreciating the player, from being hibernating for a long time,” he said. “Because Arsenal wanted him in the summer, Leipzig said no, Arsenal wanted him in the January transfer window, Leipzig said no. So from that situation, big appreciation to now, management, the manager Mikel Arteta and all the other people at the club, have approved these contacts for Benjamin Sesko.
So the conversations are ongoing, remember Arsenal have other strikers as well under consideration like Viktor Gyokeres. But for Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal have now started contacts on club side and on player side.
According to German reports, Leipzig are willing to open negotiations for Sesko at €70m (£59m), but they’re aiming to rake in €100m (£84m).
In the season just gone, Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions. The 21-year-old will have four years remaining on his contract with Leipzig in the summer.
