Slovenian boss Matjaz Kek has delivered a stark warning to Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko, with his preference clear that the striker should snub any potential interest from wealthy Saudi Arabian sides. As the tug-of-war for the 22-year-old striker intensifies, it is believed that Mikel Arteta's side are still in the frame after Sesko opted against joining Al-Hilal before the first deadline, in time for the Club World Cup.
Arsenal's pursuit of the promising forward seemed under threat as two Saudi Pro League giants stepped into the fray, ready to splash the cash, but Sesko appears set on European football. The race to secure a top striker ahead of the Club World Cup saw Al-Hilal rigorously engage in talks, having been previously spurned by Victor Osimhen and making advances towards Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres.
After Slovenia's 2-1 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kek, who has Middle East management experience with Al-Ittihad, offered his advice to Sesko regarding a move to the gulf.
"I would advise him never to go there," Kek said. "At least not at his age. This is a great recognition, these are clubs that mean a lot. It's not that I underestimate the Saudi league, on the contrary, I worked there at Ittihad and the club is still a part of me, I also watch the league regularly, but the time will come for that.
"I am sure that Benjamin himself and the people who care for him will be smart enough and find a solution. That is, he goes somewhere where he can play football, because that is the only way he can be happy."
Despite being selected for the Slovenia national team, Sesko remained on the bench throughout the matches against Luxembourg and Bosnia, hampered by a knee issue that has troubled him in recent weeks.
The Mirror revealed that RB Leipzig had discreetly reached out to the Slovenian FA, requesting that Sesko be spared from participation in both fixtures prior to the games.
The German club did not believe Sesko was fit for play, as evidenced by his absence from a friendly against Santos in Brazil, and they harboured concerns that an injury might jeopardise a lucrative summer transfer.
With European competition off the table, Leipzig are looking to balance the books and are prepared to part with Sesko and Dutch forward Xavi Simons if their price tags are met.
Leipzig's director Marcel Schafer has already initiated talks with Arsenal's Andrea Berta regarding a potential deal, with negotiations now picking up momentum.