Arsenal hijack Chelsea and Manchester United's transfer move for £43m striker

Arsenal have joined the race for RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Benjamin Sesko and could rival Chelsea and Manchester United for the RB Leipzig forward in the summer transfer window.

Sesko joined RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer and is enjoying a promising debut season under Marco Rose, scoring 13 goals in 37 appearances.

However, there is mounting speculation that Sesko could be set for the exit door at Red Bull Arena at the end of the campaign, with the 20-year-old’s performances believed to have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s heavyweight sides.

Chelsea and United have been credited with a strong interest in recent weeks and Sesko’s representatives are even believed to have been guests at both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this term.

According to The Evening Standard, Arsenal are ‘stepping up’ their plans to sign a forward and have joined their Premier League rivals in the race for Sesko, adding the Slovenia international to their shortlist of attacking targets for the summer.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to strengthen up front, with Arsenal’s two recognised centre-forwards – Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah – managing a total of just nine goals between them in the English top flight this season.

The report claims RB Leipzig have grown increasingly resigned to losing Sesko and are already scouring the market for possible replacements for the 2024/25 campaign.

Arsenal head coach Arteta is keen to bring in reinforcements in attack (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal know Sesko will not come cheap given the sought-after youngster has a €50million (£43m) release clause in his contract which is set to become active at the end of the season.

But the Gunners are hopeful the striker’s wage demands would be lower than some of the other players on their wishlist, with the likes of Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, Evan Ferguson and Victor Osimhen all linked in recent months.

The Slovenian’s current deal, which he signed when he joined RB Leipzig, runs through to 2028.

Manchester United were among the clubs interested in Sesko before the striker’s switch to RB Leipzig, but the Red Devils went on to complete a £72m deal for Rasmus Hojlund instead last summer.

After joining RB Leipzig, Sesko was adamant he had made the right move, telling Transfermarkt: ‘I think it was better to come here.

‘It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football.

‘I already knew what I had to do and didn’t have to go through a whole learning process again.’

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