Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been set a new price to sign top striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Sesko has gained admirers from all over Europe following his impressive performances for RB Leipzig over the last two seasons.
The Slovenia international netted 18 goals last season and has already surpassed that number this term, helping Leipzig climb to fourth in the Bundesliga.
Despite his influence at the club, Leipzig were said to have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Sesko which says he can be sold this summer for around £60m.
Sesko has enjoyed his two-year stint at the German outfit but believes the time is right to leave and join a club with aspirations of winning domestic and European trophies.
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The relatively low fee of £60m understandably caught the eye of a number of clubs – including Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United.
But German outlet Bild say Leipzig in fact intend to get 100m euros (£86m) for Sesko and believe he will be their most expensive sale.
Josko Gvardiol became the most expensive defender in history when RB Leipzig sold the Croatia international to Manchester City for £77m in 2023.
Arsenal eyeing summer move for Sesko
Sesko could be the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer with a number of Premier League clubs weighing up moves.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all expected to sign new forwards this summer.
Mikel Arteta’s lack of attacking options has forced central midfielder Mikel Merino to play up front regularly in the second-half of the season.
Merino has exceeded expectations with regular goals and assists but is not a long-term option for the No. 9 position.
Arsenal expressed interest in signing a new striker during the January transfer window and even had a bid for England’s Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa.
As well as eyeing up Sesko, Arsenal are also believed to be interested in Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap.
Chelsea and Man Utd also in Sesko transfer race
Chelsea have been linked with similar names as the Blues look to sign a new striker following Nicolas Jackson’s struggles with form and fitness this season.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will also likely welcome a new goalscorer to Old Trafford to replace Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just three league goals this term.
United’s transfer kitty for the summer remains unknown, however, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may look for a cheaper alternative to Sesko, with Delap, for example, available for just £30m.
What Jurgen Klopp has said about Sesko
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Sesko earlier in the year.
Klopp, currently working in an advisory role for the Red Bull network, said: ‘My plans with him are that he scores more goals.
‘He’s a good player. I’ve actually known him for a while, I knew him already when he was at Salzburg.
‘I think we played a friendly game here when he was very, very young. I was really impressed, I thought, “Where do they get all these players?, ridiculous.
‘I have no plans with him, just to make that clear. Don’t get it wrong, I will not show up in training and tell them what to do.
‘Our plan, and I don’t have to ask Marco Rose what his plan is with him [Sesko], I know it… he wants to help him score as many goals as possible.
‘He has space for improvement, space for development, incredible skillset, incredible potential so I’m happy that we have him.’
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