Arsenal continue to be linked with Benjamin Sesko, whose first impression on a team-mate at RB Leipzig provided valuable insight into the kind of player the Gunners could be signing
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich at Red Bull Arena
Team-mates have lauded Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko in what should be a very promising sign for the Gunners
(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal fans will be hoping to see the sort of instant impression Benjamin Sesko has made at RB Leipzig should he complete a summer transfer. There's cause for optimism in that regard given the rave reviews he received from one team-mate early on.
The 6'5" frontman arrived in Germany to much fanfare after completing a £20million switch to the Red Bull Arena in 2023. Sesko, 22, dazzled for Red Bull Salzburg and Liefering in Austria's top flight before making his first move to the big leagues two years ago.
And Ridle Baku spared little expense in praising the youngster after he joined Leipzig from Wolfsburg in January. In fact, the Germany international has said it was evident from his first time training with the striker just what a talent he'd be playing alongside.
"Our striker Sesko, I was really impressed, to be honest," he told FourFourTwo in March. "The first training session, I knew already that he's a good player.
"But I'm speaking about potential, probably he's not [currently at] potential he could be, but right now, what I saw already, very impressive. He has everything to be a world-class player."
Arsenal are hoping that assessment proves accurate as they target their own move for the forward. However, it's been reported it's in danger of collapsing due to the high wage demands put forward by Sesko and his team.
Physically, Sesko is a specimen. Much has been made about the forward's towering frame, but he also boasts an unsuspecting turn of pace for someone his size, not too dissimilar to a certain Scandinavian leading the line at Manchester City.
Ridle Baku of RB Leipzig looks dejected after the team's 2-3 defeat following the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart at Red Bull Arena
Ridle Baku was wowed by Sesko's ability from his first training session at Leipzig
(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Seven years have passed since the Gunners last signed a player from the Bundesliga, though it appears they're ready to end that drought. That's as long as the two clubs can come to an arrangement over Sesko's transfer fee, however, with Leipzig understood to be demanding up to £85m for their player.
Baku isn't the only team-mate to have paid him high praise during his time in Germany. Yussuf Poulsen has been with Leipzig throughout their rise from Germany's lower divisions but praised the Slovenia ace as "the best" attacking partner he's had the pleasure of playing with.
"As a striker, he's the best I've played with," the Dane told TNT Sports last year. "If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number 9 needs. He's still young, he still needs to learn, not the technical things about being a striker but maybe more the finesse side.
"He has everything, strength shooting, technique, everything. I like working with him and I'm trying to get him there - he'll go on and score a lot of goals for us and some point go to the club he'll love to play for."
Yussuf Poulsen and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig applaud the fans after the draw during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen has hailed Sesko as the best striker partner he's ever played alongside
(Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The Radece-born star fits the age profile Arsenal have prioritised under Arteta's regime. Former sporting director Edu once identified how older players with less sell-on potential were "killing" the club and shifted the ethos to recruiting younger, hungrier players.
Sesko is far from the finished article, similar to most 22-year-old prospects. That being said, a return of 39 goals and eight assists in 87 appearances for Leipzig is certainly something Arsenal can work with.
The rising star netted a career-high 21 goals in all competitions this season and scored in five straight league games over the winter period. He also scored home and away against Bayern Munich, albeit one of those in a 5-1 defeat, hinting he has the wherewithal to cope against elite opposition defences.
Mikel Arteta has delighted in taking young gems onto the next level during his time at Arsenal, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly among the current examples. And there's plenty of evidence to suggest Sesko could be the latest to thrive under his command should Arsenal plump for his signature this summer.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.