Transfer Centre

Arsenal-linked striker 'receives lucrative Saudi Arabia offers'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 May 2024

Arsenal-linked RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko reportedly receives a pair of lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia but has no intention of heading to the Middle East.

A talented youthful striker apparently wanted by Arsenal is now believed to be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League.

RB Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko was previously on the books at sister club Red Bull Salzburg before transferring to Germany last summer, and he hit the ground running in his first Bundesliga campaign.

The 20-year-old has struck 18 goals in 42 matches for Die Roten Bullen in all tournaments - 14 of which have come in the top flight - and he ended the campaign in magnificent form.

Sesko found the back of the net in each of Leipzig's last seven Bundesliga matches to help the club finish fourth in the table, sealing qualification for next season's Champions League in the process.

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Sesko also shone during Slovenia's successful Euro 2024 qualification bid, bagging five goals and two assists to propel his nation to this summer's championships in Germany.

RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko on April 13, 2024 © Reuters

Sesko 'receives Saudi bids and Leipzig renewal offer'

England, Serbia and Denmark will be Slovenia's group opponents at Euro 2024, where a strong individual tournament would see his stock rise further ahead of a potentially heated battle for his services.

Arsenal are said to have earmarked Sesko as a prime attacking target amid claims that he possesses a release clause of around £55.9m, but according to Fabrizio Romano, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also trying their luck.

Romano claims that the RB Leipzig forward has received two mammoth proposals from Middle Eastern teams, but he has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia as he chases titles in Europe.

While Arsenal will seemingly not have to overcome the Saudi Pro League obstacle, Leipzig have supposedly been in touch with Sesko's camp to offer the 20-year-old a contract renewal after his stellar end to the season.

The Slovenia international is not due to become a free agent for another four years, but Leipzig apparently want to tie him down until 2029 and will offer him a pay rise as part of their efforts.

How is Arsenal's attack shaping up for 2024-25?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on May 19, 2024 © Reuters

Despite all the rigmarole over Arsenal's supposed need for a new number nine, the Gunners' total of 91 goals in the 2023-24 Premier League season were their most on record in the competition since its inception in 1992.

Kai Havertz flourished as Mikel Arteta's main centre-forward after coming through a tricky start, while Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli can all do a job up front too.

However, Trossard and Martinelli's preference is to play out wide, while selling Nketiah would be a savvy move from the Arsenal hierarchy, as his transfer would go down as pure profit.

Nevertheless, Jesus is expected to remain at the Emirates despite brief talk of an exit, as the Brazilian is confident that he will be back to his best for the 2024-25 campaign if he enjoys an injury-free pre-season.

Arsenal are already expected to pursue reinforcements in goal and in midfield this summer, and while a new attacking figurehead is still on the shortlist, it should not be priority number one.