Arsenal’s lack of attacking options have been ruthlessly exposed since the start of 2025.
The Gunners lost Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending ACL injury in January with Bukayo Saka remaining as a long-term absentee.
Mikel Arteta was unable to secure deal to bring in a new face in the winter transfer window and the situation was made worse by an injury to Kai Havertz in February’s training camp in Dubai.
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The Germany international joined Jesus on the sidelines until the summer with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli not expected back in action until April.
Midfielder Mikel Merino has been utilised to mixed effect as a central attacker, but all the current signs point to Arteta making a major move for an attacker in the coming months.
Links to Newcastle United star Alexander Isak have run cold, with the Magpies potentially demanding a Premier League transfer record for their talisman, and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is now Arteta’s No.1 target.
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Benjamin Sesko’s RB Leipzig contract, release clause, transfer value, stats
Slovenia international Sesko joined RB Leipzig from partner club RB Salzburg at the start of the 2023/24 season and netted 14 Bundesliga goals in his debut campaign in Germany.
Arsenal were linked with an offer for the 23-year-old last summer, but Arteta opted to hold back, and RB Leipzig subsequently responded by securing a contract extension until 2029.
With no release clause present in his contract, RB Leipzig could demand in the region of £42m ($50m) for Sesko, as part of their new Head of Soccer Jurgen Klopp’s plan to remould the club.
Sesko has netted 10 league goals already this season, plus four in the Champions League, and it is Europe’s major club competition that could decide his future.
As per reports from the Daily Mirror, the financial impact of missing out on UCL qualification for 2025/26 could force Klopp to sell at least one star name, to keep the books balanced.
That could play perfectly into Arsenal’s hands – with Arteta’s team in a very strong position to secure their spot via the Premier League – and offer Sesko a chance to play in the tournament again.
The Premier League and Spain’s La Liga are on course to be granted a fifth UCL spot for next season – based on the latest co-efficient standings – and RB Leipzig are currently three points off the Bundesliga top four.
Even if RB Leipzig do rally for a UCL place before the end of the campaign, Klopp may still look to offload players, with defender Castello Lukeba also attracting transfer attention.
