A report claims that Arsenal’s attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko, a striker for RB Leipzig, has encountered a significant roadblock due to the Slovenian international’s wage demands.
After the Gunners failed to bolster their attacking ranks in January, Sesko is believed to be one of Arsenal’s two top targets in the center-forward position for the summer transfer window, along with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
There is ‘universal belief’ at the Emirates that Sesko can become a superstar striker in the upcoming years, and the North London giants have been in talks with Leipzig and his camp for a while.
The Sun claims that Sesko’s salary demands are impeding a deal to bring him to North London, and that neither the club nor the player have made any progress thus far.
According to reports, Arsenal is willing to spend the £70 million needed to entice the 22-year-old to leave the Red Bull Arena, but his entourage is demanding a salary package that is significantly greater than what the Gunners are willing to pay.
According to reports, Sesko had previously attracted the attention of Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal, who were attempting to sign him before the first transfer window ended in advance of the Club World Cup.
Al-Hilal has not lost sight of the former Red Bull Salzburg protégé, but the deal did not go through, presumably because Sesko wanted to continue his career in Europe for the time being.
If the 22-year-old decided to defect to Saudi Arabia, he could also anticipate receiving a huge salary, which his team could use as leverage when negotiating with any interested European teams, like Arsenal.
Sesko signed an extension last summer in response to interest from the Emirates, but if their demands are satisfied, the German powerhouses will not prevent him from moving on. He still has four years left on his contract at the Red Bull Arena.
In 87 games over the last two seasons, the Slovenian has scored 39 goals and provided eight assists for Leipzig, including 21 goals and six assists from 45 games across all competitions last season.
Gyokeres appears to have made the red half of North London his top summer transfer target, while Arsenal is having trouble acquiring Sesko.
The Sweden international is aware that he is not their top choice, but it is believed that he rejected Manchester United and Juventus in favor of joining Arsenal.
Even though Arsenal is interested in Sesko as well, Gyokeres is reportedly willing to wait for Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta to approach him about a deal.