Arsenal have opened talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Benjamin Sesko, according to reports in Germany.
Mikel Arteta has made the signing of a new striker one of his top priorities for the summer transfer window and Arsenal have already drawn up a shortlist which includes Viktor Gyokeres and Sesko.
Gyokeres is just about to finish another incredible season with Sporting CP having scored 53 goals in 51 appearances. That has helped the club win the Portuguese league and potentially the cup as Sporting face Benfica in the Taca de Portugal final on Saturday afternoon.
Gyokeres has also attracted strong interest from Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim keen to be reunited with the striker he managed at Sporting.
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Sesko, meanwhile, has finished the campaign with 21 goals in 45 matches for RB Leipzig but the club are expecting to take a huge financial hit after finishing seventh in the Bundesliga and missing out on European football for next season.
According to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig are open to offers for Sesko and the German club’s sporting director, Marcel Schafer, has held talks with Andrea Berta, his opposite number at Arsenal, to discuss the conditions of a possible transfer.
The report claims that Arteta’s preference is to sign Sesko ahead of Gyokeres, while RB Leipzig are demanding a deal in excess of €80 million (£67m) for their leading striker.
The Slovenia international joined RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg for €24m (£20.6m) in 2023, signing a five-year contract which included a £55m release clause.
That figure has now risen to above £67m (€80m) ahead of the summer window as it is linked to his appearances, goals and assists for the German club.
When asked about his future earlier this month, Sesko said: ‘We’ll see what happens. It’s open, anything can happen.’
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