Why Man Utd could hold transfer advantage over Arsenal in pursuit of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko - explained

Arsenal are determined to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window and have narrowed down their shortlist to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's star forward Sesko. In the case of Sesko, though, the Gunners could face stiff competition from United, who are also keen on strengthening their attack.

According to BILD's Christian Falk, the Red Devils could hold an advantage over the north London side in the race for the Slovenian due to the club's director of recruitment, Christian Vivell, who joined the club from Chelsea in February this year. Vivell, who formerly worked at RB Salzburg, discovered Sesko at the age of 16 and brought him to the Austrian club in 2019.

Speaking to Caughtoffside, Falk said: "Arsenal have ceased their recruitment drive and have declared Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) as their favourite targets. RB Leipzig are willing to talk for upwards of €70m, and ideally Sesko should fetch up to €100m.

"Despite his young age, the Slovenian is almost complete, has a clear head and is a real team player. He would be an asset to any club. There are already talks with Arsenal. From the Premier League, beside Arsenal also Manchester United are particularly interested. Christopher Vivell (United’s director of recruitment) was there to watch Sesko at the game in Wolfsburg in mid-April. He once helped discover him and brought the footballer to Salzburg as a 16-year-old in 2019."

After falling short in the Premier League title race for the third year in a row in 2025, Mikel Arteta now intends to build a roadmap for success next season, which he will work on with the Gunners' key staff, with an end-of-season performance review scheduled.