Arsenal have sharpened their transfer targets, and all eyes now turn to 21‐year‐old striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
The Gunners received new conditions for a move as they intensify their pursuit of the Slovenian goal machine. Top source updates now confirm that Arsenal formally expressed their interest in Sesko.
Last summer, Arsenal reached out in their hunt for a new centre‐forward, but Sesko opted to remain in Germany. He chose to sign a fresh contract with Leipzig and requested one more season to develop further. This decision highlights his focus on perfecting his craft before a blockbuster transfer.
German journalist Florian Plettenberg recently dropped a bombshell update. He confirmed that Sesko’s Leipzig deal includes a fixed release clause until 2029. Clubs can now activate this clause starting this summer—a detail that changes the transfer landscape.
Release Clause
The release clause ties to key performance metrics such as games played, goals, and assists. It currently stands at around €70m (£57.8m / $73.6m) and is set to rise to approximately €80m (£66m / $84m) by season’s end. This clarity provides Arsenal with a concrete target as they plan their next move.
Arsenal have voiced strong interest in securing Sesko, especially after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Arteta now faces an urgent need for a new No. 9 to bolster his frontline. Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also chase the Slovenian star, while Manchester City remain out of the race.
Sesko has dazzled this season by recording 17 goals and five assists in 34 appearances. His explosive performances mark him as one of the best young strikers on the planet. Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen recently hailed him as the finest player he has ever played with, praising his strength, shooting, and technique.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
In other transfer news, Arsenal plan to consider the surprise sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli if a bid tops his market value. The club also shows keen interest in Joshua Kimmich as he nears the end of his Bayern Munich spell. While Kimmich may not solve all midfield issues, his potential arrival remains a clear win.
Benjamin Sesko’s rise reads like a blueprint for future success. He burst onto the scene by scoring 59 goals in 23 games for Krsko’s Under-15s and moved to Austria at 16, signing for Red Bull Salzburg in a €2.5m deal.
After a loan spell at FC Liefering, he netted 21 goals in the 2020/21 season before returning to Salzburg to score 29 goals over two seasons. In 2023, Sesko completed a €24m move to RB Leipzig and finished his debut season with 18 goals.
He also broke records by becoming the youngest player to score in seven consecutive Bundesliga games at 20 years and 353 days. Internationally, he boasts 15 goals in 35 caps, earned Slovenia’s Footballer of the Year in 2022, and holds the record as the nation’s youngest player and goalscorer. Standing at 6ft 4in with a top speed of 35.47 km/h, Sesko idolizes Erling Haaland and insists that such comparisons fuel his ambition rather than add pressure.
