Arsenal Warned Over “Crazy” £85m Striker Target as Arteta Eyes Summer Reinforcements

Arsenal have been strongly warned against spending a huge fee on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with former footballer Frank Leboeuf calling the price tag “crazy.”

The Gunners are in the market for a new striker this summer after finishing a fifth straight season without silverware. Despite a solid campaign, manager Mikel Arteta wants a reliable goalscorer to take the club to the next level — especially after the team struggled in the second half of the season with injuries and even had to play midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker.

Arsenal have been linked to several forwards, including Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, Hugo Ekitike, and Sesko — who is currently believed to be Arteta’s number-one target. However, Leipzig are demanding around £85 million for the Slovenian international, and not everyone is convinced he’s worth the money.

Speaking to ESPN, former Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf didn’t hold back when discussing the potential deal. He said clubs need to be more careful with their spending and suggested that Sesko’s Bundesliga numbers don’t justify such a big investment.

“That’s crazy,” Leboeuf said about the asking price. “He plays for Leipzig, a small club in comparison, and Arsenal are expected to throw him into the Premier League with the pressure to perform? Where’s the guarantee he delivers?”

Leboeuf even compared Sesko’s situation to other high-profile transfers that didn’t quite work out. “Look at Jadon Sancho, Darwin Nunez… clubs have spent big before, and it didn’t always work.”

Sesko, 22, scored 13 goals for Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season and has netted 16 goals in 41 games for Slovenia. While promising, his stats don’t necessarily scream “world-class” just yet.

Sesko himself has spoken about his future recently, admitting he’s happy at Leipzig but keeping his options open. “The club has given me a lot,” he said. “But I want to play for a club that suits me and brings out the best in me.”

That might not offer Arsenal fans much clarity, but it does show he’s aware of the interest and weighing up what comes next.

If Sesko proves too expensive, Arsenal could look at Viktor Gyokeres, who had a sensational season at Sporting with 54 goals. However, he reportedly wants close to £300,000 per week in wages — a big ask for a club trying to balance its books.

Manchester United are also interested in Gyokeres, meaning Arsenal could find themselves in a bidding war.

Zubimendi Deal Still on the Table

While the striker situation remains uncertain, Arsenal are still working on a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Arteta is a long-time admirer of the Spanish star, who played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 win and is expected to cost around £51m.

With Jorginho already gone and Thomas Partey set to leave on a free transfer, Zubimendi could help fill the midfield gap.

Partey has attracted interest from clubs like Barcelona but has yet to sign a new deal with Arsenal.