Arsenal, Man United 'receive major boost' in pursuit of highly-rated 15-goal striker

The 21-year-old has again been in strong form for Leipzig during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 15 goals and registering four assists in 30 appearances in all competitions.

Sesko signed a new deal with the Red Bulls in June 2024, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the 2028-29 campaign, but there remains a host of speculation surrounding his future.

Arsenal are believed to be keen on the Slovenia international, while Man United have also been credited with an interest, as both major English clubs look to sign new strikers during this summer's transfer window.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Leipzig had initially been planning to keep Sesko this summer, but the situation has now changed, with the Bundesliga club open to realistic offers.

Leipzig 'open' to selling Man United, Arsenal-linked Sesko

"Very clear message internally from Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, who really wanted to keep Benjamin Sesko at RB Leipzig for January, and in the summer, the feeling is completely different," Romano said on his official YouTube channel.

"The understanding is that in the summer, there will be a chance for Benjamin Sesko to try something new, something different, and so Arsenal will be there for sure.

"He's one of the top strikers in the list at Arsenal, also appreciated by other clubs, including Chelsea. But now Arsenal keep contacts active because they believe that Benjamin Sesko could be an absolute strong and top candidate for the striker position from next season. So he's scoring goals, he's providing assists and Arsenal keep following the development of the player."

Sesko made the move to Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2023, and he has represented his current side on 72 occasions, scoring 33 goals and registering six assists in the process.

A transfer fee has not been mentioned by Romano, but it is believed that Leipzig would be looking for at least £70m for the forward considering the number of clubs following his progress.

Is Sesko a risky signing?

There is believed to have been a £54m release clause in Sesko's old contract at Leipzig, and at that price, he would certainly be worth considering, but adding on at least another £16m makes it somewhat of a risk.

Sesko's numbers are impressive, including 23 goals and five assists in 51 Bundesliga appearances, but he has only managed six goals in 26 Champions League outings for Salzburg and Leipzig.

The forward's potential is there for all to see, but neither Arsenal nor Man United can afford to get it wrong when it comes to a big-money striker signing this summer, and shelling out that amount for a largely unproven Sesko is a risk.

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak looks out of reach, though, while Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres appears to be Man United's leading target, so it would not be even slightly surprising to see Sesko at the Emirates Stadium next term.

Written by

Matt Law