RB Leipzig Slaps New Price Tag on Star Striker Benjamin Sesko
RB Leipzig have reportedly come to terms with the fact that their "ideal" valuation for Benjamin Šeško is not "achievable" following a shortage of bids for the forward.
After Chelsea completed the signing of Liam Delap for a guaranteed £30 million ($41.2 million), Arsenal remain the primary club associated with Šeško in their search for a dependable striker.
The North London side haven't witnessed a forward score 20 goals in a campaign since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang accomplished this feat five seasons ago. No natural striker was present in their squad during 2024–25, and their Premier League championship challenge suffered when makeshift center-forward Kai Havertz, who performs better in a withdrawn position, sustained an injury in February.
Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres are the prominent candidates being discussed, though neither seems like an ideal match. Šeško represents somewhat of a risk, remaining undeveloped at 22 years old and lacking extensive proof of ability—his Bundesliga scoring record in 2024–25 stood at 13 goals, decent but hardly exceptional. Gyökeres found the net 54 times in all tournaments for Sporting CP, yet achievements in Portuguese football don't consistently transfer well to more competitive leagues. Liverpool's experience with Darwin Núñez serves as evidence.
Both forwards have also carried hefty price tags throughout the summer period.
Nevertheless, based on reports from BILD, Leipzig are acknowledging that their preferred selling figure exceeding €80 million (£68.4 million, $93.8 million), potentially reaching €100 million (£85.4 million, $117.2 million), won't attract purchasers. There have been "no firm proposals", and no activity surrounding Šeško "for several weeks".
Approximately €70 million (£59.8 million, $82.1 million) represents a more "achievable" valuation.
Regarding Arsenal, they seem to be focusing their current efforts on acquiring a defender, despite fan disappointment. The Gunners reportedly view strengthening defensive options as a "priority" in the transfer window and have been pursuing a deal for 20-year-old Valencia center-back Cristhian Mosquera. Additionally, versatile defensive midfielder Christian Nørgaard might become their initial summer acquisition.
Gyökeres's dissatisfaction with Sporting's inflexible position regarding his price, mirroring Leipzig's initial Šeško valuation, has sparked speculation that he might consider going on strike to push through a move.