Benjamin Sesko has been identified as Arsenal's top transfer target this summer but the Gunners are facing a race against time to get a deal over the line
Alex Richards Sport Editor and William Morgan Reporter
02:22, 10 Jun 2025
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has been impressive for RB Leipzig(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
He's the striker that Arsenal have set their sights on, having conceded defeat in their chase for Newcastle's Alexander Isak. However, a critical 24 hours looms for Arsenal in their quest to land RB Leipzig's goal machine Benjamin Sesko.
Sesko, 22, has been at the heart of negotiations between the Gunners and his current club. RBL are prepared to part ways with the Slovenian forward if the right bid comes in this summer, and Arsenal have been leading the pack.
Arsenal bigwigs have already touched base with his agents, having missed out on Sesko last year when he chose to stick around in Germany.
But now Leipzig are looking to offload Sesko and Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons to bankroll a summer overhaul, following a tumultuous 2024-25 season that saw them miss out on European football.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig can leave the German side this summer
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig can leave the German side this summer(Image: Getty Images)
A £60million deal that would tick boxes for both sides - Leipzig's need for cash and Arsenal's hunt for a new No. 9 - has been suggested and is what both parties are striving for.
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But Al Hilal have emerged as potential party crashers to Arsenal's plans, reports the Mirror.
The Saudi outfit have been left high and dry in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen as he turned down a lucrative Middle East offer for the second time in nine months. They've also failed to lure Viktor Gyokeres - another name on Arsenal's striker wish list - away from his Premier League aspirations, despite waving a jaw-dropping £30m-a-year contract at the Sporting Lisbon sharpshooter.
Thus, they're now eyeing their third choice target after receiving a list from their new high-profile manager Simone Inzaghi, who was recently snapped up from Champions League finalists Inter Milan.
It seems likely that Sesko is the man they're after.
With the FIFA Club World Cup looming, they're increasingly keen to sign a big-name player in time for the tournament - where they're aiming to make a significant impact.
The first part of the summer transfer window shuts on Tuesday night and they need to seal a deal by then. Money isn't an issue and they can meet Leipzig's demands.
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The real question is, can they convince Sesko?
They can certainly offer him a hefty salary - effectively four times what he might earn at the Emirates Stadium.
It all boils down to whether he's prepared to let go of his dreams of shining in the Premier League and Europe.