Benjamin Sesko: Arsenal handed massive transfer boost as striker target rules out possible destination | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is keen to add more firepower this summer with Gunners also looking at Ollie Watkins and Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have been handed a boost as Benjamin Sesko’s preference is to stay in Europe this summer, despite interest from Saudi Arabia.

Sesko is expected to be on the move during the upcoming transfer window after scoring 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season.

The 22-year-old is one of the striker targets Arsenal are considering and they have held talks with RB Leipzig.

The German club are hoping to secure a fee in the region of £70million and are willing to part with their star striker after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

The striker’s preference and priority, however, is to carry on playing in Europe if he leaves Leipzig this summer.

Sesko’s stance is a boost for Arsenal, if they choose to formalise their interest with an official bid, while it will also please the striker’s manager at international level, Matjaz Kek.

Striker target: Benjamin Sesko

AP

The Slovenia boss has encouraged Sesko not to go to Saudi Arabia if he leaves Leipzig this summer.

“At his age, he shouldn’t go! If someone from there is interested, it’s a form of recognition,” Kek is quoted as saying by Slovenian news outlet Nogomania.

“I don’t underestimate them - I’ve worked there myself. But there will be time for challenges like that later.

“I believe Benjamin, and the people around him, are smart enough to find the right solution. He needs to play and enjoy football. That’s when he’s at his best. He must not just play - he has to play with joy.”

Sesko scored 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season, while he also chipped in with five assists, too.

Leipzig finished seventh in the Bundesliga - missing out on European football for next season - which has boosted Arsenal’s chances of landing Sesko.

The Gunners have looked at other striker targets, including Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres.

Mikel Arteta has stressed the need for Arsenal to add more firepower to their squad this summer.

“Well, what we have, what is clear as well with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line, that we need a goal threat and we need the firepower out there,” he said in May.

“Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, you know, and we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before.

“And we have to add goals, we have to add creativity, we have to add numbers and that will be in different positions.”