Chelsea are considering making a move for Benjamin Sesko this summer with the Blues looking to add support and competition for striker Nicolas Jackson. While Jackson remains very highly rated at the club, there is a feeling he needs help to ease the burden on him leading the line.
During Jackson's absences this season, Chelsea have been left very short in the No.9 position. Friday evening saw Tyrique George act as a makeshift central striker and while he has shown promise in an unorthodox role, Enzo Maresca would prefer someone more natural in that space instead.
football.london understands Chelsea are prioritising signing a new No.9 in the upcoming summer transfer window, with the club having a shortlist of players they are interested in. Among those is Sesko, who has scored 21 goals for RB Leipzig in all competitions this season, only signed a contract extension last summer but there is believed to be a release clause inserted into his new deal of around £50million. That becomes active this summer, so there will be plenty of interested parties in the Slovenian.
Sesko made the decision to stay at Leipzig last summer despite mass interest in his signature as he believed the Red Bull Arena was the best place to further his development. "I thought it through very well," Sesko said. "I believe I made the right decision.
"I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things. Leipzig is an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig's vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way."
Sesko also spoke about how Marco Rose, the now former Leipzig manager, played a significant role in his decision to stay put. He did mention, though, that the club would not stand in his way should he want to leave - emphasised by the release clause in his deal.
"We talked," the Slovenia international said when asked about Rose's role. "He told me he wanted me to stay but also said I should decide based on my feelings. He said if I felt I needed to move on, I should go, but if not, I should stay.
"He's an excellent coach who has led many great players. I'm glad I decided this way."
Leipzig will not be playing Champions League football next season after finishing seventh in the Bundesliga table this term. It makes it even more important for Chelsea to get the job done at the weekend when they take on Nottingham Forest, so they can persuade players such as Sesko, who will be wanting to play amongst Europe's elite.
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