- Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko will reportedly be available for a base €70m fee
- The Gunners have also been linked with Viktor Gyokeres for a summer transfer
- LISTEN: Will Liverpool sign Alexander Isak? Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele provides the latest on the potential transfer on Whistleblowers podcast
Arsenal’s top striker target Benjamin Sesko will reportedly be available for around €70million (£60m) this summer.
Mikel Arteta is keen to sign the Slovenian forward after another impressive season which saw him net 21 goals in 45 games in all competitions.
The Gunners are long-term admirers of the RB Leipzig star and they had offers rejected for him in January
An array of top European clubs and Saudi side Al-Hilal hope to land him this summer, but Sesko wants to remain in Europe.
The 22-year-old, who joined Leipzig from RB Salzburg two years ago, is reportedly eager to move on this summer, despite being contracted at the German side until 2029.
Leipzig are said to want a deal completed sooner rather than later in the summer, so they can spend more heavily in the transfer market.
While they were ‘dreaming’ of a €80m (£68m) to €100m (£85m) payout for the striker, they have accepted that a more realistic fee for the young star is a €70m (£60m) base fee with add ons, according to Bild.
Arteta is a huge fan of Sesko and is extremely keen on a move but there has been no contact between the clubs yet, the report adds.
Sesko potentially dangled his strongest hint yet that he is interested in the Gunners.
Arsenal fans may be encouraged to learn that Sesko has followed the club on Instagram.
It is by no means confirmation of a move, but it at least indicates that Sesko – or whoever is managing his account – is interested in the north Londoners.
Meanwhile, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly favours Viktor Gyökeres because he has proven his quality for longer.
Berta wants to make five signings but has a wide range of potential targets if their principal ambitions don’t come off.
Gyokeres would cost around £65m and is still desperate for a move to the Premier League following a stunning season where he scored 53 goals and added 13 assists in 52 games for Sporting.
However, there are reservations at the Emirates over whether he will be able to translate that form to the Premier League.
