Arsenal should avoid a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko due to the increased release clause in his contract.
The Gunners are aiming to sign a marquee centre-forward ahead of next season and Sesko has been identified as one of their primary transfer targets.
The club are reportedly ‘stepping up’ their striker plans with Sesko on their radar. He could be available for a release clause worth €50 million.
However, the situation has now changed. Journalist Philipp Hinze reports that the 20-year-old’s clause has increased to €65m amid his playing time and goal contributions in the second half of the season.
The final valuation could increase to €75m depending on Sesko’s last two games this term.
The Gunners should avoid an approach due to the huge outlay required.
Arsenal need a readymade goalscorer next season
The Gunners started the campaign with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus as their main strikers, but neither were able to consistently score goals in the Premier League.
Leandro Trossard was tried in the number nine role for some time before Kai Havertz established himself as the mainstay in the position for the club.
The German has been in fantastic form with eight goals and five assists since mid-February, but the big question is whether he can replicate the same level next term.
Manager Mikel Arteta cannot afford to entirely depend on Havertz. He needs another goalscorer who can make the difference in crunch situations.
Sesko is not the answer. He has been in rich scoring form like Havertz with five goals in his last five games to take his tally to 16 for the season.
The Slovenian has similar attributes as Havertz with his tendency to drop into deeper attacking positions, but he is not necessarily as good on the ball as the Gunners ace.
His main strength is obviously his ‘plank posture’ which allows him to generate power and accuracy with his shots, but Arsenal’s game also depends on link-up play in the final third.
The club could be better off pursuing a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has registered a stunning 41 goals and 15 assists this season.
The Swede could cost more with a release clause of €100m, but he would prove a better acquisition as he is vastly experienced and has the knack for scoring regular goals.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
This article was written by .
