Benjamin Sesko's 'huge demand' as Arsenal look to break transfer rule

Benjamin Sesko could be Arsenal's big summer signing

While rivals Liverpool and Manchester City have shown great intent in the summer transfer window, Arsenal have not yet made a signing ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Gunners are coming off the back of a disappointing campaign where they finished second in the Premier League for the third successive year. Injuries and a lack of clinical forwards were the main reasons for Arsenal falling short, and it seems manager Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a top striker this summer in an attempt to lift some long-overdue silverware. Arsenal have been in talks over deals for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres in recent weeks, both of whom are reportedly keen to join the Gunners. Sporting CP's Gyokeres, with an impressive tally of 54 goals this season, is the more prolific of the two. However, Sesko, being five years younger at 22 and playing in a tougher league for RB Leipzig, is believed to be Arteta's preferred choice. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Last week, German publication Bild reported that a verbal agreement has been struck between Arsenal and the Bundesliga side for Sesko, with rumours suggesting the fee could be anywhere between £68.5million and £85.5m. Leipzig's failure to qualify for European football, which has left them in need of funds, may impact the Slovenian's price tag too. With the clubs reportedly in agreement, Arsenal's next move is to finalise personal terms with Sesko, who was linked with a transfer to the Gunners last summer but chose to remain in Leipzig for another year. Now, we take a look at three of the biggest talking points surrounding the potential arrival of the next big-name striker in north London.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the last Arsenal striker to score more than 20 goals

Breaking Arsenal's five-year curse Sesko will face significant pressure to make an immediate impact at Arsenal, which may be somewhat unfair given his relatively young age and the gulf in quality between the Premier League and Bundesliga. The Emirates Stadium faithful have been longing for a world-class striker who can convert the chances they wasted so frequently this season for some time now. It's generally believed that 20 goals is a good benchmark for an elite Premier League striker. However, Sesko would need to become the first Arsenal player in five years to reach that tally, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last achieving it with 22 goals in the 2019/20 season. No player has managed more than 16 in a single season in any of the campaigns since then. Kai Havertz led Arsenal's scoring charts with nine goals this term, while Bukayo Saka netted 16 in the 2023/24 season. Martin Odegaard scored 15 the previous year, with Saka on 11 and Alexandre Lacazette on 13 in the two years before that. Sesko only netted 13 times in the 2024/25 season and 14 in the 2023/24 campaign in the Bundesliga. He will be hoping that better service can help elevate his game to a new level in England.

Benjamin Sesko might become Mikel Arteta's first Bundesliga signing

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Arteta's seven-year transfer rule Targeting Sesko could be seen as a departure from Arsenal's usual strategy since Arteta took over in December 2019. His signing would be the first time they have brought in a player from the Bundesliga since 2018. Under Arteta and former sporting director Edu, the Premier League has been their preferred hunting ground. As was the case with David Raya, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Ben White, Arsenal have often turned to players with experience in England due to Premier League-proven players needing less time to adjust. There is a general consensus that those from Spain's La Liga also do well in England's top division, with Arteta using his connections back home to bring in the likes of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and now reportedly Martin Zubimendi. Even Italy's Serie A appears to be highly regarded by the Spaniard, who has shopped there for the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior. But, for whatever reason, he has chosen to avoid signing players from Germany. The Gunners' last first-team players signed from the Bundesliga were Bernd Leno and Sokratis seven summers ago, under Unai Emery. Yet, the move for Sesko is more akin to Arsenal's £60m move for Aubameyang earlier that year, given their positions and high potential.

Arsenal could still turn their attention to Viktor Gyokeres

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