Benjamin Sesko transfer chase takes nasty turn to leave Arsenal facing crucial 24 hours

Arsenal have earmarked RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko as their No.1 striker target this summer, having entered talks with the German club who are looking to cash in on their prized asset

He is the centre-forward whom Arsenal have made their No.1 target, having admitted defeat in their pursuit of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. But Arsenal face a crucial 24 hours in their bid to sign RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko.

Sesko, 22, has been at the centre of talks between the Gunners and his current club. RBL are ready to sell the Slovenia forward if they get the right offer this summer, and Arsenal have been leading the race.

Gunners chiefs have already sounded out his representatives, having missed out on Sesko last year when he opted to remain in Germany. But now Leipzig are planning to sell Sesko and Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons to fund a rebuild this summer, after missing out on European qualification during a chaotic 2024-25 campaign.

A £60million move that would solve both teams needs – Leipzig’s want for funds, Arsenal’s need for a new No.9 – has been mooted and is what both have been working towards.

But Al Hilal have appeared on the horizon and could destroy Arsenal’s plans.

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The Saudi club have missed out on a big-money move for Victor Osimhen as he snubbed a huge deal in the Middle East for the second time in nine months. And they’ve also failed to entice Viktor Gyokeres – another on Arsenal’s striker shortlist – to turn his back on his Premier League dream, despite dangling a contract reportedly worth a stunning £30m-a-year in front of the Sporting Lisbon scorer extraordinaire.

Thus, they’re onto their third choice target after being handed a list by new mega-money boss Simone Inzaghi, fresh from being poached from Champions League finalists Inter Milan.

And Mirror Football understands that third man is Sesko.

With the FIFA Club World Cup fast approaching, they’re increasingly desperate to land a new marquee name in time for the competition – where they’re hoping to make a massive splash.

This first part of the summer transfer window closes on Tuesday night and they need to have a deal done by then. Money is no object and they can give Leipzig what they’re after.

The question is whether they can persuade Sesko? Again, they can throw a huge potential salary his way – effectively four times as much as he may get at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s just a case of whether he’s willing to give up on his hopes of starring in the Premier League and Europe.

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