Europe’s most promising young strikers, attracting interest from several top clubs including Manchester United
Arsenal have been handed a fresh deadline to finalise the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, with the Gunners eager to secure the highly-rated Slovenian forward ahead of strong competition.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers, attracting interest from several top clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea. Mikel Arteta sees Šeško as a key addition to strengthen Arsenal’s attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season, with the club aiming to build on their recent progress in the Premier League and Champions League.
According to multiple reports, RB Leipzig have set a new internal deadline for clubs to activate Šeško’s reported €65 million (£55m) release clause, which is believed to expire at the end of June. This clause allows clubs to sign him without negotiating directly with Leipzig, but once it expires, the German side will be under no pressure to sell and could demand a significantly higher fee.
Arsenal have already opened talks with the player’s representatives and are said to be leading the race, though they have yet to make a formal offer. Šeško is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and is impressed by Arsenal’s project under Arteta, especially their young, dynamic squad and consistent presence in Europe’s top competitions.
Time, however, is of the essence. The Gunners are now working under pressure to wrap up the deal before the clause expires. Arsenal’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Edu, is expected to step up negotiations in the coming days in hopes of reaching a swift agreement.
RB Leipzig, for their part, are reluctant to lose Šeško but acknowledge that his development and the terms of his contract give the player leverage. The Bundesliga side is already preparing for potential replacements should the Slovenian depart.
Šeško scored 18 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season and has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland due to his size, pace, and clinical finishing. His addition would offer Arsenal a different profile up front – a tall, athletic striker capable of playing as a target man or on the break.
