New transfer price for Benjamin Sesko revealed as Arsenal put on red alert after RB Leipzig change conditions of striker's potential summer exit

Following another second-place finish in the English top flight, manager Mikel Arteta is aware that bolstering the team’s frontline is essential if Arsenal are to mount a more serious title challenge. With Gabriel Jesus struggling with form and injuries and Kai Havertz often deployed in a deeper role, the Gunners’ need for a clinical centre-forward has become increasingly apparent.

Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, has been actively leading the club's hunt for a striker, with both Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres on his shortlist. According to German publication Bild, Leipzig may now accept closer to €70 million (around £59.7m) to release the Slovenian forward from his contract, which runs until 2029. Initially, they were believed to be holding out for a substantial fee in the range of €80 million to €100 million (approximately £68 million to £85 million), which forced Arsenal to consider other options.

While Sesko is reportedly open to the idea of playing in the Premier League, his agent Elvis Basanovic has taken a firm stance on how any potential move will be handled. Responding to speculation that Sesko’s camp was pushing Leipzig to reduce their valuation, Basanovic denied any such actions and emphasised their commitment to honouring the club.

“This is far from the truth," he said. "We respect RB Leipzig, and I am 100 per cent convinced RB Leipzig will also respect our decision for the next step when we decide to do it. Even if there may be – or will be – a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig.

“I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club. I can understand that in very big transfers, there are a lot of different interests, but no matter what, I believe that the football world should be more respectful. So that’s why we do things in the right way or we don’t do them. It’s very simple, even maybe in the media it looks very complicated.”

With RB Leipzig now reportedly willing to compromise, and Sesko willing to ply his trade in the Premier League, Arsenal would be eager to wrap up the transfer as quickly as possible. If Arteta can finally secure a top-class forward, it may prove to be the final piece in his title-challenging puzzle.