The agent of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has responded to reports that Arsenal have reignited their interest in the Slovenia international.
It is an open secret that the Gunners are on the hunt for a new attacker in the January transfer window after Gabriel Jesus ruptured his ACL in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United last weekend.
The Brazil international will definitely miss the rest of the season and potentially the first few months of the 2025-26 campaign, and he joins fellow frontmen Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri on the sidelines.
With Jesus out for the long-term, Arsenal's only two central attacking options are Kai Havertz - who is suffering from a confidence crisis in front of goal - and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who has never made a senior appearance for the club.
Arteta confirmed after Wednesday's 2-1 North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur that his side were looking at the market for a new striker, and earlier on Thursday, reporter Sam C claimed that contact had been made between Arsenal and Sesko.
Sesko agent refuses to confirm or deny Arsenal reports
© Imago
It has been alleged that Arsenal want to sign the Slovenia international on loan with an option for a permanent move, and Arteta has already communicated with the Leipzig man on multiple occasions.
However, Leipzig - who tied Sesko down to a new deal in the summer and removed his £55m release clause - supposedly want Arsenal to commit to an obligation to buy at the end of the season or pay the money upfront in January.
The 21-year-old's representative Elvis Basanovic was recently quizzed on Sesko's future by Slovenian TV channel Arena Sport, but he did not reveal whether contact from Arsenal had been made, saying: "I can't answer that question for you," as quoted by The Mirror.
Basanovic also affirmed that, contrary to previous claims, Leipzig would not consider a sale under any circumstances this month, adding: "I don't think Leipzig would be satisfied with any compensation at the moment, Leipzig does not want to sell Benjamin Sesko because they really value him immensely.
"We can see that our decision was correct, six months later he is already a better striker than he was last season. What he lacks is experience. We must not forget that he is only 21 years old, so we did not want him to go to the Premier League in the summer.
"There were concrete options, but we consciously decided to stay in the Bundesliga to give him time to progress and develop into a better striker."
Sesko boasts an applaudable 13 goals and three assists from 25 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, in addition to 16 strikes from 39 appearances in a Slovenia jersey.
Which other strikers can Arsenal target?
© Imago
The market for available strikers appears relatively bare for Arsenal this month, as none of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen should be attainable either, while Randal Kolo Muani is signing for Juventus on loan.
However, the latter's switch to Turin might make the Old Lady more receptive to an offer for Dusan Vlahovic, whom the Gunners were persistently linked with in early 2022, but they have apparently failed with one approach this month already.
Lille's Jonathan David could be an intriguing option for the Gunners, as the Canadian is only contracted to Les Dogues for another six months, giving rise to a cut-price permanent sale in January.
Ben Knapton
