Arsenal set to hijack Manchester United and Chelsea top transfer target

Arsenal are set to hijack Manchester United and Chelsea top transfer target. It is understood that the Gunners are keeping close tabs on Benjamin Sesko and could rival United and Chelsea for the forward.

The Emirates club are believed to be preparing to secure the RB Leipzig forward in the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old has hit the ground running after his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg last summer. The forward has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances in a promising debut season under Marco Rose.

There have been a mounting speculation over the forward’s readiness to quit Red Bull Arena at the end of the campaign. It is understood that Sesko’s performances have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s heavyweight sides.

United and Chelsea have been strongly linked with forward in recent weeks. Sesko’s representatives are even believed to have been guests at both Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge and  this term.

Meanwhile, according to The Evening Standard, Arsenal are poised to hijack the deal for Sesko. The Gunners are ‘stepping up’ their plans to sign a forward and have joined the race for the forward.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to strengthen up front. Arsenal’s two recognised centre-forwards, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are managing a total of just nine goals between them in the English top flight this season.

The report claims Leipzig have grown increasingly resigned to losing Sesko. It is even understood that they are already scouring the market for his possible replacements next summer.

Sesko, however, will not come cheap given the €50million (£43m) release clause in his contract. The release clause is set to become active at the end of the season.

But Arse are hopeful the striker’s wage demands would be lower than some of the other players on their wishlist, with the likes of Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, Evan Ferguson and Victor Osimhen all linked in recent months.

The Slovenian’s current deal, which he signed when he joined RB Leipzig, runs through to 2028.

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Arsenal know Sesko will not come cheap given the sought-after youngster has a €50million (£43m) release clause in his contract which is set to become active at the end of the season.

But Arteta will hope the striker’s wage demands would be lower than some of the other players on Arsenal’s wishlist. The likes of Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, Evan Ferguson and Victor Osimhen have all been linked in recent months.

The Slovenian forward’s current deal with RB Leipzig, runs through to 2028.

United were among the clubs linked with Sesko before his eventual switch to RB Leipzig. The Red Devils had gone on to complete a £72m deal for Rasmus Hojlund instead last summer.

After joining RB Leipzig, Sesko was adamant he had made the right move, telling Transfermarkt: ‘I think it was better to come here.

‘It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football.

‘I already knew what I had to do and didn’t have to go through a whole learning process again.’