Benjamin Sesko Saga Heats Up: Arsenal Emerge As Frontrunners Amid £60m Striker Race

The high-stakes pursuit of RB Leipzig’s prodigious striker Benjamin Sesko is rapidly intensifying as Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea jostle for his signature this summer. With the transfer window approaching, the 21-year-old Slovenian’s future has become one of football’s most compelling transfer narratives—one that could shape the attacking ambitions of the Premier League’s elite.

Arsenal’s quest for a new forward has grown ever more urgent after missing out on key targets in both the summer and January windows. The Gunners' need is underscored by a lack of alternatives, while a stuttering attack has been closely scrutinised by fans and pundits alike. Benjamin Sesko, boasting 19 goals and six assists in 39 appearances for Leipzig this season, remains central to those conversations.

Prominent journalist David Ornstein provided fresh impetus to Manchester United’s hopes, noting in a recent Q&A for The Athletic that while Arsenal have done extensive homework on Sesko, United rate him just as highly. Ornstein explained that, “Arsenal have done a significant amount of work on Sesko over a long period. He is clearly a super talent ... but perhaps Arsenal is not looking like his most probable destination at this moment in time.” However, he also noted United’s own uncertainties up front and growing determination to add a reliable scorer, especially given manager Ruben Amorim’s reported anxieties over existing options like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have shown flirtations with Sesko, but their latest priorities appear to have shifted towards other targets—most notably Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. This potential cooling of interest from Stamford Bridge could clear the path for Arsenal to swoop, provided they can meet Leipzig’s demands.

Arsenal face a particularly nuanced dilemma. Andrea Berta, their new sporting director, is under pressure to balance prudent business with securing a transformative No. 9. The CIES Football Observatory recently valued Sesko at €126m (£109m), notably more than Newcastle’s Alexander Isak—another striker on Arsenal’s radar. Yet, Sesko’s release clause reportedly stands at a relatively modest £60m—a fee deemed value for a player whose star is rising so rapidly.

The intrigue was deepened by comments from Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic. Speaking on Slovenian TV, Basanovic emphasised a focus on long-term development rather than immediate prestige: “Our decision regarding the next step, the transfer, has never and will not stem from current form, but from who can offer Sesko the best platform for his development.” He added that “this is a phase of development. … He is only 21 years old, so we did not want him to go to the Premier League in the summer.” The allusion to patience may hearten clubs with a vision for nurturing young talents.

Recent reports from GiveMeSport and football.london suggest that Arsenal have received a “significant boost,” with Sesko understood to be keen on a move to North London. Leipzig’s struggles in the Bundesliga—and failure to secure Champions League qualification—may be fuelling his openness to a Premier League adventure. While United and Chelsea are described as less likely destinations, Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Aston Villa reportedly remain on alert.

The next few months will be decisive. Will Arsenal’s patience and careful planning finally pay off with Sesko leading their line? Or could late moves from rivals upend Mikel Arteta’s plans yet again? As the transfer saga unfolds, the biggest question now is who can provide the best platform for one of Europe’s most exciting finishers to flourish.

What’s your take—should Arsenal go all in for Sesko, or is another striker the answer? Share your thoughts and join the debate below!

• Arsenal
• Benjamin Sesko
• RB Leipzig