Benjamin Sesko has attracted interest from a host of clubs (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have discovered the price it will take to sign top striker target Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Sesko has scored 35 goals over the past two seasons for RB Leipzig, attracting interest from a host of clubs with his impressive form in Germany.
Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old during the January transfer window but ultimately decided not to sign anyone, a decision that has since backfired.
Kai Havertz has been Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker over the past two seasons but the ex-Chelsea forward has a middling goalscoring record.
The Gunners have expressed interest in signing Alexander Isak but Sesko is a cheaper option than the Newcastle United star, who is valued at more than £120m.
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Arsenal are not the only Premier League club keen to bring in a new striker this summer, however, with Manchester United and Chelsea also assessing their options.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who cost more than £100m combined, have scored just five Premier League goals this season.
Mikel Arteta will sign a new striker for Arsenal this summer (Picture: Getty)
Nicolas Jackson has endured a similarly frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge, struggling with form and fitness for a Chelsea team who have slipped from second to fifth in the Premier League.
It would not be a surprise if any or all of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United launched moves for Slovenia striker Sesko and they have now discovered the amount it will take to secure his signature.
According to German football and transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, Sesko and RB Leipzig have agreed to a release clause in his contract, which runs until 2029.
Ruben Amorim could also sign a new striker for Man Utd (Picture: Getty)
The buy-out clause currently stands at around £58m but is expected to rise to £66m by the summer, depending on various parameters such as goal involvements.
It is claimed ‘all of the top’ Premier League clubs have registered interest barring Manchester City, who have given Erling Haaland a contract until 2034.
Arsenal appear to be at the front of the queue to sign Sesko and Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn, speaking during the January transfer window, named the Slovenian as one of three strikers he would happily ‘take’ at the Emirates Stadium.
Sesko has impressed for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig (Picture: Getty)
‘Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with Arsenal, as have the likes of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic,’ Winterburn told William Hill Vegas.
‘If you could guarantee Mikel Arteta that one of them can offer 20 to 25 goals a season, that would be great — but no one can guarantee that!
‘The Gunners need a striker to take them to the next level, and that is to win the Premier League. I would take any of those strikers — it doesn’t matter which one. What matters is who scores the most goals for this team and is the best fit.
‘Each option comes with its own attributes, but the priority is finding the one who can deliver goals consistently to fire Arsenal to the title. Addressing this issue in the squad could drive Arsenal to a league title.’
Arsenal could yet face major competition from Manchester United for Sesko, however, and Dwight Yorke hopes his former club win the race to bring him to Old Trafford.
‘I would love it if Manchester United went and signed Benjamin Sesko, I watched him play recently and he’s a great profile.
‘He’s similar to Alexander Isak but probably cheaper. Sesko has a great presence up front, he’s a big striker with an incredible shot on him. He’s mobile too, which United need.’
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