Benjamin Sesko: Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd-linked striker expected to commit future to RB Leipzig | Football News
Benjamin Sesko is expected to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig this week, Sky Sports News understands.
The Slovenian striker has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Sesko was said to have a release clause in his deal that would have made him available for £55m until the end of June.
However, he will sign an improved deal with the German club ahead of the Euros. His Slovenia side will face England, Denmark and Serbia at Euro 2024.
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Watch all of Benjamin Sesko goals for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season…
The 21-year-old forward scored 18 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season, including goals in each of the last seven Bundesliga matches of the campaign.
What strikers are on Premier League clubs’ radars?
Arsenal and Manchester United are still monitoring Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee amid strong interest from AC Milan.
Both clubs are understood to be keeping a close eye on developments with the striker, who is among a number of attacking options Arsenal and United are looking at this summer.
Sky in Italy are reporting Milan are still pushing to sign the 23-year-old after flying to London late last week for talks. Nothing was agreed but they remain in contact with his representatives.
Zirkzee has a £34m (€40m) release clause in his contract, which has two years left to run.
Arsenal want to bring in a young striker they can develop, having turned their attention away from players such as Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
What does each Premier League team need this season?
What does every Premier League team need in the summer transfer window? Sky Sports statistician Paul Harrison dives into the data to find out…
Arsenal
Few flaws can be found in a team who have finished runners-up to Manchester City in successive seasons. However, not a single Arsenal player has surpassed 16 Premier League goals in four campaigns.
This season, Kai Havertz’s return of nine goals in his final 14 league appearances this season was promising, but Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus failed to reach double figures between them from a combined 54 league appearances, with neither finding the net after January.
Chelsea
Chelsea showed signs of progress in the final three months – losing only one of their final 15 league games – but their young squad would benefit from an injection of experience if the top four is a realistic aim.
Thiago Silva, now 39 years of age, will follow Mauricio Pochettino out of the club once his contract expires at the end of June.
The Blues had the youngest average starting XI in the division this season – despite the Brazilian starting 27 games. Replacing him will be key: they conceded eight more goals than any previous Premier League campaign.
Man Utd
With Erik ten Hag’s future still in the balance, Manchester United’s inevitable summer of upheaval could see additions in all areas of the pitch – they have struggled both defensively and offensively.
The departure of the experienced Raphael Varane will leave the club light at the back, especially with Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw’s ongoing injury concerns.
They used 14 different centre-back partnerships this season and veteran Jonny Evans clocked more league appearances than any other centre-back at the club. So, a keen eye will be cast over a defence that conceded a Premier League club-record 58 goals this term.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at midnight in Scotland.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
