Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko's unique release clause that keeps going up
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer transfer window and Arsenal are among his potential suitors
Arsenal could be forced to pay even more for transfer target Benjamin Sesko after RB Leipzig upped his release clause. Sesko, 21, scored a brilliant outside-of-the-foot goal during Saturday's dramatic 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich to show why he's one of the most talked-about players heading into the summer transfer window.
The Slovenian was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last summer but a move didn't materialise. Mikel Arteta and club scouts have kept tabs on his progress, with Sesko scoring 21 goals in 45 appearances this season.
But his goalscoring feats could be working against him. That's because the in-demand striker has a performance-related release clause within his Leipzig contract.
Sky Germany report that Sesko is now valued at over £68million, an increase from the £60m which teams were mulling over when he stayed put once again in the January transfer window. The 21-year-old could still leave Leipzig without his release clause being activated, though.
In that scenario, Leipzig would likely to demand a higher total fee and a different payment structure from the likes of Arsenal. Sesko remains on the Gunners' five-man shortlist for a new striker with less than a month until the first part of the summer transfer window opens.
Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak, Sporting Lisbon hotshot Viktor Gyokeres, Wolves star Matheus Cunha and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike all join Sesko on the Gunners' list of targets. Isak would likely be too expensive while Gyokeres hasn't proven himself in any of Europe's top five leagues.
Cunha is expected to sign for Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with Ekitike. That could leave Arteta with one clear option in Sesko.
Elvis Basanovic, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg wonderkid's agent, was quizzed on Arsenal's interest in January. "I think you should ask Mr. Arteta about that," Basanovic quipped, speaking to Arena Sport.
"But I think Sesko could suit many clubs because he has different football skills. He can play alone in attack, with two strikers, a little further back, he has height, speed, and technical speed.
"Benjamin is really shining, I think this is a phase of development. I think we have already shown in the past that we are sticking to the development path, that we are not looking at current form."
The agent went on to say: "I don't think Leipzig would be satisfied with any compensation at the moment, Leipzig does not want to sell Benjamin Sesko because they really value him immensely."
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