RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko could be set to move to the Premier League this summer with Arsenal and Chelsea among his admirers
Arsenal and Chelsea target Benjamin Sesko claims he wants to play for a club that can bring the "best" out of him as he weighs up a summer transfer. The 21-year-old Slovenian is the subject of strong interest from the Premier League and is now waiting to see what offers materialise for his services in the coming weeks.
Leipzig have endured a disastrous season, finishing seventh in the final Bundesliga standings and therefore failing to qualify for European competition.
It means the German club are now plotting huge changes, both to their squad and strategy, to protect their financial records and star players Sesko and Xavi Simons are being heavily tipped to lead an exodus.
Leipzig are now in Brazil, where they will play an end-of-season friendly against Santos, and Sesko has now addressed his future during an interview with German broadcaster Sport1 in South America.
He said: "The club has given me a lot and continues to give me a lot every day. It's a great club to develop at." Sesko also added that in the future, he wants to "play for a club that suits me, that brings out the best in me. That's the most important thing for me."
The Slovenia international continued: "I'm currently a player for RB Leipzig, so I'm taking it day by day. If a transfer happens, and if it doesn't, then it doesn't."
Internally, Arsenal have been discussing whether to push ahead with a deal for long-standing target Sesko or Sporting CP marksman Viktor Gyokeres. The 21-year-old scored 21 goals and registered six assists in all competitions while Gyokeres won the double in Portugal and rattled in 54 goals in 52 appearances.
Sesko's release clause is understood to be upwards of £66million (€80m) while Gyokeres has a gentleman's agreement in place with Sporting which would allow him to depart for a figure in the region of £55m to £60m.
Arsenal are considered frontrunners for the Swede should they wish to follow up their interest but they're facing competition for Sesko with Chelsea also keen on the player.
The Blues have made the signing of a new striker a transfer priority after Enzo Maresca's side secured Champions League qualification. But Chelsea have also held positive talks with Liam Delap, available for £30m, while Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Hugo Ekitike is also rated highly at the club.
Arsenal completed notable groundwork on a deal for Sesko last summer but the young forward instead committed his future to Leipzig, signing a new long-term deal ahead of the European Championships in Germany.