Benjamin Sesko. (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Arsenal have entered negotiations with RB Leipzig for the signing of striker Benjamin Sesko. After months of transfer speculation, Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Arsenal are now in “concrete” talks for the player and that while Arsenal are also monitoring other options at striker – Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the 21 year old Slovenian.
One of those other strikers being monitored is Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is a man in demand this summer after two successive prolific seasons in which Sporting were crowned back to back Liga Portugal champions. Gyokeres versus Sesko has become the trending narrative amongst Arsenal fans with those two the most frequently mentioned striker targets for the club.
Rumours began circulating about division between manager Mikel Arteta and new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, with the former believed to favour Sesko and the latter a long time admirer of Gyokeres having attempted to sign the player for previous club Atletico Madrid.
It appears Sesko is now the leading candidate with Arsenal beginning initial talks for the player. Sesko’s release clause for the summer stands at €80 million per Plettenberg who says Arsenal’s pursuit is “serious”.
Arsenal keen to add Sesko
The 6’4 striker has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland for his physical presence and pace. Sesko is an aerial threat who excels at getting on the end of crosses and through balls. He is a fox in the box as well, snapping onto loose balls and half chances in the box.
The two share similar career paths, having first entered the limelight at RB Salzburg before moving to the Bundesliga. Sesko was the man to replace Haaland at RB Salzburg when the latter moved to Dortmund in 2020, and then teammates at the Austrian side praised Sesko for his likeness to his predecessor.
Sesko then moved to RB Leipzig three years later, and like Haaland could be set for a move to the Premier League.
The player previously acknowledged the comparisons himself, saying he is relishes being named in the same sentence with the goal scorer.
“Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy,” he said.
“They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is. My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him!”
Sesko bagged 13 goals and added 5 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances this season, but Leipzig failed to qualify for European football after finishing 7th in the league.
The player is expected to be allowed to leave this summer after previously seeing Arsenal’s advances for him rejected in May of last year and during the most recent January transfer window.
The Gunners look to be back on the case and are pushing for a deal this summer.
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