Arsenal face Saudi battle for £70m transfer following Osimhen decision | OneFootball

Arsenal are facing a battle to sign Benjamin Sesko as Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are reportedly bidding to capture the RB Leipzig star on transfer deadline day.

The Slovenia international has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta searches for a new frontman to lead the line next season.

Sporting Clube de Portugal centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres is another potential option up front, but Sesko appears to be Arsenal‘s first choice after they reportedly engaged in initial talks with Leipzig.

Arsenal face Saudi battle for £70m Benjamin Sesko transfer

A spanner may have been thrown into the works, however, as Al-Hilal are “interested” in signing the towering attacker before Tuesday’s 7pm, according to Sky Sports News.

The Saudi outfit “want to sign a striker” in time for the Fifa Club World Cup, which is why they launched a bid for Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen. But the Nigeria international rejected their approach, preferring to remain in Europe next season.

Their attentions have turned to Sesko, who is expected to cost a transfer fee of almost £70 million this summer. It would be a major coup if they were to sign the 22-year-old, one of European football’s most up-and-coming young forwards.

Read – Arsenal fend off Real Madrid ‘hijacking’ as transfer ‘done and signed’

He has scored 39 goals in 87 games since joining Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and has found the net 16 times in 41 caps for the Slovenia national team. At five years younger than Gyokeres, Sesko is viewed as a more sensible long-term addition.

Arsenal made a ‘formal approach’ for the striker, but a ‘formal bid’ is yet to be made.

The Gunners are also expected to add Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to their ranks in a £51m transfer in July.

Read – The last five players Arsenal signed from Chelsea – and how they turned out

See Also – Five potential options for Osimhen following Saudi transfer snub

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