Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko is hitting turbulence — and fast.
The Gunners have made the 22-year-old Leipzig striker their No.1 target this summer, but negotiations are reportedly stalling over Sesko’s wage demands. According to The Sun, the Slovenian is asking for a salary far beyond what Arsenal were expecting to offer.
It’s the third time Arsenal have tried to land him — after previous bids last summer and in January — and frustrations inside the club are beginning to boil over.
Sesko, rated at £70m, is seen as the key to unlocking Mikel Arteta’s attack after a third straight second-place finish in the Premier League. But unless his demands drop, the move is in danger of collapsing.
Gyokeres on Standby
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is waiting in the wings. The Swedish powerhouse bagged a ridiculous 53 goals and 13 assists in 52 games last season and is desperate for a Premier League switch — even if he knows he’s Arsenal’s Plan B.
Valued at around £60m, Gyokeres is available, and Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta is under pressure to make sure the club doesn’t walk away empty-handed.
Sesko Camp Staying Classy
Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, insists they won’t force a Leipzig exit:
“Even if Benjamin wants to move to a specific club, we’ll never blackmail RB Leipzig. How you leave a club reflects your values.”
He added that they’re waiting for the right project:
“He’ll only leave for something special — a club, a coach, and a vision that stands out.”
Double Transfer Blow?
To add more pressure, Arsenal are also reportedly set to miss out on England defender Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace centre-back is leaning towards a move to Liverpool, with regular game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup said to be a deciding factor.
With William Saliba and Gabriel locked in as starters, Guehi isn’t convinced he’d be more than a backup at the Emirates.
TRNDR TAKE: Arsenal’s transfer window is already heating up — but if Sesko doesn’t budge soon, they may have to act fast on Gyokeres before someone else does. And with Guehi likely Anfield-bound, Arteta’s wishlist might need reshuffling.
