Exclusive: Arsenal have done significant groundwork on exciting potential attacker transfer



It was interesting watching the highlights of the Leipzig vs Juventus game in the Champions League last week. It was a tale of two strikers, Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic, who have been heavily linked to Arsenal in the past.

Both were impressive, scoring twice, although it was Vlahovic who eventually came out on top when Francisco Conceicao scored that fine late winner to give Juventus an exciting 3-2 win in Germany.

Whilst the Vlahovic ship has sailed when it comes to Arsenal, I’m keeping a keen eye on Sesko this season as I still think there is a chance that Arsenal will revisit their interest in the Slovenia international at some point, maybe even next summer.

Obviously they were very keen to bring him in during the last transfer window, but the 21-year-old decided to stay and sign a new contract with Leipzig.

That decision was a disappointment to Arsenal, but I don’t believe it was a decision that burned any bridges between the club and the striker in terms of a move in the future.

Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal? (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

A lot of the groundwork was done before the summer window and I don’t believe there has been any sort of breakdown in relationship behind the scenes just because Sesko opted to stay put.

Benjamin Sesko transfer decision isn’t necessarily bad news for Arsenal

I’m sure Arsenal understood his decision at the time because to be honest it made a lot of sense. From a footballing and development point of view, staying with Leipzig was the right call.

Look at how things have gone. Sesko is playing regularly, he’s scoring goals and he’s developing nicely. Had he moved to Arsenal, he would have been playing understudy to Kai Havertz and probably having to make do with getting the odd minute here and there.

But at some point he is going to decide the time is right to move to a higher level and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Arsenal go back in for him.


 

Arsenal still want to sign a striker. But they don’t want to sign one just for the sake of it. That’s why they kept their power dry last summer after Sesko said no earlier in the window.

They were confident they had enough firepower to get them through the season and the form Havertz is showing right now shows you why.

But I think they will look to add another frontman at the end of the season and I wouldn’t rule out Sesko again being a name which is towards the top of their list.

Click here to read my FULL column on the Daily Briefing, featuring Ederson, Saka, and more!