The transfer window doesn’t officially open for another two weeks and Arsenal fans are already getting very excited about one player.
Reports emerged on Thursday that RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko favours a move to the Emirates this summer despite a host of top clubs clamouring for his signature.
A top class forward has been identified as a priority by the Gunners this summer, despite the Gunners being the second highest scorers in the Premier League last season.
Kai Havertz performed well up top for the north London club over the second half of the season but many believe a true goalscoring No 9 is what the club needs to finally get them over the line in a title race.
And Sesko might well be that missing piece of the puzzle.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has reportedly said ‘yes’ to a move to Arsenal this summer
Your browser does not support iframes.
The 21-year-old has been tipped for greatness since he joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.
Standing at 6ft 4in and blessed with natural pace, the striker quickly drew comparisons with Erling Haaland, who also announced himself on the European stage in Salzburg.
Sesko would go on to contribute 29 goals and 11 assists in 79 appearances in two seasons for Salzburg, bagging a further 22 in 44 games in loan spells with FC Liefering during that time.
His performances attracted interest from the likes of Man United and Newcastle with Salzburg delivering a tongue-and-cheek reply to the Red Devils to show just how highly they rated the striker in 2022.
The tall and natural goalscorer has been compared to ex-Salzburg wonderkid Erling Haaland
Haaland also announced himself on the European stage while playing for RB Salzburg
The Austrian club posted on Twitter to say that they would only let him join Man United for £300m plus Bruno Fernandes, a fee ludicrously above the youngster’s market value.
However, it was Leipzig who won the race for the player with a much more reasonable £20m deal last summer.
And what a piece of business that has proved to be for the German outfit.
Sesko netted each of his side’s last seven games of their Bundesliga campaign, seeing him finish the season with 14 goals in only 17 starts in the top flight.
He’s no flat track bully either, having notched against the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart.
Mikel Arteta is looking to bring in the natural goalscorer his team needs this summer
The striker bagged a further four in the Champions League (2) and German Cup (2) to end his debut campaign with 18 goals in all competitions.
The Slovenia international now takes his red hot form to Euro 2024, where he will get the chance to show English fans just how much of a talent he is.
Slovenia have been drawn in Group C, alongside England, Denmark and Serbia.
They’ll play the Three Lions in their final game of the group and the Gunners may want to secure a deal quickly to avoid a situation in which Sesko boosts his price tag at the tournament.
He’s scored 11 goals in 28 matches for his country, including five in qualifying.
The Slovenian striker has proven that he can score goals for both club and country
The forward has a release clause in the region of £55m but Arsenal think they can get a deal done for somewhere in the region of £45m.
Naturally the ‘welcome to Arsenal’ YouTube compilations are already being made, supporters clearly liking what they see.
Mikel Arteta hasn’t had it all his own way when it comes to securing top targets so an anxious wait remains to be seen if the club can get the deal over the line.
If they do, it could be the start of something special.
