Benjamin Sesko has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at RB Leipzig until 2029, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
The 21-year-old attracted strong interest from the Premier League giants who are reported to be in the marked for a new striker this summer.
Sesko, who has been included in Slovenia’s Euro 2024 squad, arrived in Germany last summer following a four-year stint at Red Bull Salzburg. After a slow start, he burst into life in the second half of the campaign and ended with 18 goals in all competitions.
Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder hailed this ‘outstanding’ turnaround and claimed the rangy attacker embodies the DNA of the club.
‘Benjamin Sesko came to RB Leipzig a year ago as a top talent and has developed outstandingly with us.’ He said in a statement on the club’s website. ‘Especially in the second half of the season, Benji showed how important he is for our game and how many qualities he brings as a complete striker.
Benjamin Sesko, pictured alongside RB Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension to stay with the club
The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong end to the season and ended the campaign with 18 goals in all competitions
The news comes as a blow to Mikel Arteta, who had been strongly linked to the Slovenian striker
‘Eleven goals in the second half of the season, most recently seven games in a row: This ratio is outstanding and shows that he is already one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga – and he is only 21 years old.
‘Benji is one of our key players for the coming seasons and that is why the extension is a strong signal. This also underlines our ambitions to be a permanent fixture in the Bundesliga and to be one of the top clubs in Europe.
‘Benjamin Sesko embodies our DNA and playing philosophy perfectly. With the new contract, we can continue to drive our squad planning forward.’
The youngster’s decision to remain in Germany despite interest from the Gunners and Chelsea may be explained by reports that his extension includes an unwritten agreement to leave in the future.
Leipzig gained a reputation for being a proving ground for talents European players in recent years and saw the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Josko Gvardiola, Christopher Nkunku leave for the English top-flight last season.
Sesko’s end of season form helped the club secure fourth place in the Bundesliga and Champions League football next term.
‘I had a good first year at RB Leipzig and am incredibly happy to be here. Team, club, city, fans – the overall package is simply outstanding for me.’ He wrote in a club statement. ‘The early contract extension was therefore the logical next step for me.
‘Even though I didn’t play or score as much in the first half of the season, this phase was very important for me and my development.
‘I feel a lot of trust and appreciation throughout the club and that is crucial for being able to perform to my full potential. In the second half of the season in particular, I was able to give something back with my goals.
‘We have a team with great potential and a balanced mix of young and experienced players. I’m really looking forward to taking the next steps with this team. We’ve already achieved a lot in my first season and often shown what quality and outstanding football we can bring to the pitch. But there’s still a lot more to be done and that’s now our common goal.’
Arsenal are also interested in Alexander Isak but the striker has stated he is happy at the Magpies
The news is a blow to Arsenal, who looked in the driving seat to bring Sesko to the Emirates. With the Leipzig attacker now staying put, the north Londoners could turn their attention to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Another target for the position, among others, is Alexander Isak, but a deal to bring the Newcastle United striker in could prove tough after his recent comments.
‘I am enjoying myself at Newcastle, and I had the best season in my career — that should not be underestimated,’ he said to Swedish outlet Fotballskanalen. ‘I love everything about the club; the fans, and the city.
‘It (my future) is not something I will speculate about, I have no thoughts on leaving. There has been no talk about it at the club and I have received no information that the could would have to sell me.’
