Arsenal begin official talks for Benjamin Šeško: Could the search for a target man finally end?

Official talks underway with RB Leipzig

Arsenal have begun formal negotiations to sign 21-year-old Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig. According to Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports, talks are progressing positively, though no final agreement has been reached.

Searching for stability in attack

This move comes after a 2024–25 campaign filled with attacking complications. Due to Gabriel Jesus’ recurring injuries, 25-year-old German star Kai Havertz became the natural choice to lead Arsenal’s attack. Although his primary position is attacking midfield, Havertz did his best up front but struggled to deliver the desired impact, scoring only 9 goals in the Premier League. Even so, that figure made him Arsenal’s top scorer in the league. Injuries throughout the campaign also disrupted his rhythm. Havertz ended the season with 15 goals in all competitions.

Manager Mikel Arteta even deployed central midfielder Mikel Merino as a false nine at times. While these tactical improvisations helped Arsenal reach the Champions League semi-finals and finish second in the Premier League, the club views them as temporary solutions.

Šeško’s profile and 2024–25 season

Šeško registered 21 goals and 6 assists in 45 matches across all competitions during the 2024–25 season. Standing at 1.95 metres, he combines physical strength with aerial dominance and precise finishing. Despite his height, Šeško is agile and technically sound, capable of holding up play and linking with teammates. He brings the qualities of both a classic and modern striker, making him a strong candidate for the number nine role Arsenal have lacked for years. His age also suggests significant room for development.

Rise through the Red Bull system

Šeško made his first major move in the summer of 2019, transferring from Slovenian club Domžale U17 to RB Salzburg for €2.5 million. Salzburg immediately loaned him to their feeder club FC Liefering, where he spent two seasons. After returning to Salzburg and impressing in the Austrian Bundesliga, Šeško earned a transfer to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for €24 million.

In the 2023–24 and 2024–25 campaigns, his performances continued to grow, elevating him to one of Arsenal’s top transfer priorities.

Bundesliga struggles open the door

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal had previously shown interest in Šeško in January, but Leipzig refused to entertain offers at that time. However, after finishing seventh in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season and missing out on European competitions for the first time in seven years, Leipzig are now more open to player sales. It is also reported that Šeško himself is open to a summer move.

Long-term strategy at the Emirates

Arsenal view this transfer as more than just filling a short-term gap. Given Gabriel Jesus’s injury record and Kai Havertz’s positional mismatch, Arteta is prioritising a forward who is physically dominant, technically gifted, and capable of scoring goals. This has made Šeško the focal point of Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy.

Strategic fit and potential impact

According to Sky Sports, the Arsenal board believes Šeško’s physical profile and mature football intelligence make him the ideal long-term solution. The report also states that Šeško could offer a modern take on the classic number nine role Arsenal have lacked for years.

Market conditions and competition

TalkSPORT reports that Šeško is likely to leave Leipzig this summer, with Arsenal placing him high on their list. Leipzig’s failure to qualify for European football and their need for financial flexibility are seen as accelerating factors in the transfer process.

Looking beyond short-term fixes

These developments suggest that Arsenal do not view Šeško as a stopgap solution but rather as a foundational piece for their future attacking structure in the Premier League.