Arsenal are reportedly in ‘pole position’ to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer. The Gunners are widely expected to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s attack with the addition of a centre-forward over the coming months.
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Sesko has shone since joining RB Leipzig from sister club RB Salzburg last summer. He has scored 13 goals in 30 Bundesliga appearances this season.
The 20-year-old endured a slow start to the season but has now scored goals in each of his last six league matches. His vastly improved form has recaptured the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs.
A host of teams are expected to be interested in a move for Sesko this summer. However, the Daily Telegraph reports that Arsenal’s rivals believe the Gunners are leading the competition for a blockbuster purchase.
Sesko’s release clause was previously believed to be around £43million. Sky Sport Germany claim that the figure is actually now around £64m due to the player’s recent form.
At six-foot-five-inches, Sesko would add something different to Arsenal's forward line. Arteta's only other centre-forwards, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, are under six foot. Jesus and Nketiah have scored only a combined nine Premier League goals this season, with the more natural attacking midfielder Kai Havertz playing as a No 9 and shouldering the scoring burden.
Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, has shared pictures of himself at Arsenal’s recent matches against Chelsea and Manchester United. However, it is not unusual for agents to attend Premier League matches and does not necessarily mean that talks have happened over their clients.
Havertz’s upturn in form in the second half of the season means Arsenal are no longer desperate for an experienced centre-forward. The German, 24, has scored eight goals and provided six assists in his last 13 Premier League appearances.
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Sesko turns 21 later this month and would be viewed as a signing for the future. Arsenal have also been widely linked with other strikers, including Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee.
The Telegraph report adds that Arsenal’s spending power this summer may depend on money received through departures. Offers will reportedly be listened to for fringe players such as Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson.
Arsenal are set to commit around £30m to the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya, who has spent the season on loan from Brentford. Meanwhile, the Gunners’ quest for a first Premier League title in 20 years will depend on Manchester City dropping points against West Ham on the final day of the season, while Arteta’s side must beat Everton to have any chance of lifting the trophy.
