Arsenal might have to pay over £60 million to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, as Chelsea and other rivals might lose out.
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are reported to be in pole position to sign 20-year-old striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. His performance on the Bundesliga side has seen his release clause rise from its previous figure, meaning the Gunners must pay over £60 million to land the Slovenian forward.
Arsenal must pay over £60 million for Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko could finish his debut season with RB Leipzig on a high as he’s already notched 17 goals in all competitions. It’s been a productive campaign, considering the Slovenian wasn’t even the first choice for a large chunk of the term, with Victor Boniface occupying that role until his injury before the AFCON.
Sesko has since seized his opportunity, which has attracted the interest of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea. The Blues have been looking for a new first-choice striker ahead of next season and had the Slovenian on their shortlist, which also includes Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
Now, Chelsea and some other rivals report that they believe Arsenal is in pole position to sign Sesko ahead of the summer. The Gunners have been linked with the forward and had been planning on opening talks with RB Leipzig. The German side could exercise a clause that increases Sesko’s previous £43 million release clause, which now stands at a staggering £64 million.
Hence, Arsenal may have to pay at least over £60 million to sign the Slovenian in the summer. Mikel Arteta had been angling a move for a top-draw striker for a long time, but the emergence of Kai Havertz in that role has somewhat reduced the pressure, as the likes of Alexander Isak linked earlier.
Arsenal plans on selling a few players
In addition to signing a new striker, who may not appear to be Sesko, Arsenal is also planning to offload a host of their fringe and on-loan stars in the summer. Emile Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Reiss Nelson are contenders to be sold, while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares are also in the same boat.
With those sales, Arsenal will be able to raise considerable funds to help them with their PSR obligations. In addition to signing a striker, they will prioritise a new centre-back and a midfielder, while a wide forward might also be added.
