£56m Arsenal target’s agent confirms Premier League interest | OneFootball

Benjamin Sesko’s agent has confirmed that there’s interest in the player from the Premier League, amid increasing links to Arsenal.

Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko reacts during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on May 18, 2024. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking to the Slovenian media this week, Benjamin Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic confirmed that Premier League and Serie A clubs are both interested in his client, but a move to Italy is less likely due to the finances involved.

Basanovic also confirmed reports from earlier this week that Saudi Arabian clubs want Sesko, but he ruled that option out completely.

“I can say that there is interest in Benjamin, both from the Premier League and from Italy,” the agent told SportKlub. “But out of respect, I can’t talk about the names of the clubs.

“We are talking about top clubs…We will suggest what is best for his long-term development. Leipzig is trying extremely hard to keep Benjamin.

“I think that Benjamin Sesko is difficult to afford in Italy at the moment. I said a lot with that. But that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible. The decision is up to Benjamin. It is ours to bring him offers.

“I can confirm that there is interest [from Saudi Arabia], but at the same time, Benjamin will not leave Europe under any circumstances. At least not right now.”

Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring the second goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on May 18, 2024. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reported last week that RB Leipzig have made contact with Sesko’s agent in recent days to offer him a new contract, hoping to convince him to stay for one more year.

Meanwhile, Philipp Hinze of Sky Sport Germany confirmed that Sesko’s release clause has now been finalised at €65m (£55.9m).

The contract contained various performance-based factors that could increase the clause to as much as €70-75m, but with the season now over, the figure is set.

Hinze added that there’s a deadline on Sesko’s release clause, and it must be triggered by the end of June.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Sam Dean wrote for The Telegraph that Arsenal have a strong interest in Sesko, and they’re considering a summer move for the young forward.

Rival suitors for the player reportedly believe Arsenal are in pole position for the signing, with the Gunners prioritising a move to strengthen their squad in forward areas in the upcoming window.

Among those rival suitors are Manchester United and Chelsea, and there have also been reports of interest from AC Milan.

Sesko’s agent Basanovic has been pictured at a couple of Arsenal games in recent weeks, sharing photos at the Emirates Stadium before the 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea and at Old Trafford before that 1-0 win.

Benjamin Sesko’s agent attends Arsenal’s match against Chelsea (Photo via Basanovic on Instagram)

Sesko has 18 goals and two assists in 42 games (22 starts) this season, averaging a goal or assist every 103 minutes. He ended the season with goals in seven consecutive Bundesliga fixtures.

At 20 years old, the player’s age fits nicely with recent claims from David Ornstein and John Cross that Arsenal might be looking for a younger long-term signing up front.