Arsenal are likely to be in the market for a new striker this summer and Mikel Arteta would be forgiven for feeling annoyed with one transfer miss.
The Gunners came so close to winning the Premier League title this past season but again came up short against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s men did make progress but will now enter another transfer window attempting to strengthen for another title push.
A striker is likely to be a focus for Arsenal with Arteta arguably lacking a regular goalscorer.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus can chip in with goals but Arsenal may need another forward to really take the next step forward.
Arsenal did appear to have a top target in mind but he has already decided to snub a potential move to North London…
Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko shows off his speed at Euro 2024
RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko is the man in question having shown huge potential in his first season with RB Leipzig.
The Slovenian racked up 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga games for RB Leipzig having finally arrived from partner club Red Bull Salzburg.
HITC understands that Sesko was leaning towards a move to Arsenal if he was to leave RB Leipzig this summer.
However, Sesko decided to stay with RB Leipzig, signing a new contract with a new release clause which can be activated next summer.
Arsenal have been forced to move on to other targets but may well have been impressed with Sesko during Euro 2024.
The 21-year-old has yet to find the net this summer but has caused real problems, especially in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
In fact, UEFA’s tracking now shows that Sesko is the fastest player at Euro 2024 having reached a top speed of 35.9 kilometres per hour.
That is ahead of the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Rafael Leao, Jeremie Frimpong and even Kylian Mbappe.
Sesko is a huge figure at 6ft 5in tall but that long speed makes him so, so dangerous in behind and a complete nightmare for centre backs attempting to handle him.
Arsenal should keep tabs on Sesko
Arsenal may have been snubbed by Sesko this summer but he is certainly worth keeping on the radar.
That new release clause can be activated in a year’s time and Sesko has already shown an interest in joining the Arsenal project.
Arsenal will need to continue progressing in order to remain as Sesko’s top transfer choice, but that interest should keep him on Arsenal’s wish list.
In fact, Sesko’s new release clause may even leave Arsenal pondering whether to avoid a striker signing this summer in order to wait for Sesko.
Bringing in another striker now could rule out Sesko in 2025 and Arsenal – who have been so smart and calculated in the transfer window in recent years – may well be minded to wait for the striker they really want over pivoting to another option now.
Tall, strong, physical and clearly possessing bags of pace, Sesko could become the full package in the future – and Euro 2024 has done little to halt the hype around him despite a lack of goals.
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