Slovenia and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko (Liam McBurney/PA)
Slovenia and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko (Liam McBurney/PA)
Mike McGrath
©Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd
Today at 15:24
RB Leipzig have put an asking price of €110m on Benjamin Sesko ahead of a summer when Premier League clubs will make bids for the Slovenia striker.
Arsenal have shortlisted the 21-year-old who has broken the 20-goal barrier this season in Germany, while other clubs in England have been long-term admirers since he emerged at Red Bull Salzburg.
But negotiations for Sesko are unlikely to be straightforward as Leipzig are said to have initially value their striker at well over €100m.
That market value would be comparable with strikers of a similar profile such as Alexander Isak, who Newcastle United are hopeful of keeping this summer.
Sesko was on Manchester United’s radar around the time he moved within the Red Bull stable of clubs, switching from Salzburg in Austria to the Bundesliga. In two years at Red Bull Arena, he has scored 39 goals in all competitions.
He also has a long-term contract, signed a year ago, committing him to the German club until 2029, which means he can command full-market value if a club were to move for him this summer.
Premier League clubs have been looking at the strikers on the market in what is expected to be a busy summer of transfer activity.
In the case of Matheus Cunha, he had a buyout clause which Manchester United have met. England Under-21 striker Liam Delap also has a set price for club to buy him from Ipswich Town.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, the 26-year-old Sweden international, is also on Arsenal’s shortlist and the former Coventry City player could go for between £60m and £70m.
Arsenal are also set to bolster their midfield with Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, who has a £51m release clause and is scheduled for a medical before completing his move from La Liga to the Premier League.