Kai Havertz played role in Arsenal missing out on ideal summer transfer target

Benjamin Sesko reportedly decided against joining in the summer transfer window because he didn’t want to play second fiddle to .

in May, Arsenal made Sesko their top target as they searched the market for a striker. The RB Leipzig man appeared to be an achievable target for the Gunners, who believed he would be available for around £45milllion.

Sesko was initially keen on Arsenal, preferring a move to north London over or . His agent Elvis Basanovic met with Arsenal sporting director Edu, who appeared to be reeling in a top striker for .

However, the move fell apart, with Sesko eventually deciding to stay put in Germany and sign a new contract with Leipzig. Arsenal were credited with interest in Ajax star Brian Bobbey while ’s Evan Ferguson, among others, but ended up not signing a forward, with defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino their major additions.

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reports that Sesko was put off moving to Arsenal in part because he was concerned by the presence of Havertz. The Germany international finished the 2023/24 season playing well as a centre-forward and Sesko felt he was likely to be left on the bench by Arteta if he made the move.

With Eddie Nketiah gone and Gabriel Jesus struggling for form, Havertz has indeed continued to play as a striker for Arsenal this season. He has seven goals in 16 games across all competitions and has become a firm favourite at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are still keeping an eye on Sesko, who has seven goals in 14 games this season for Leipzig. The 21-year-old has a buy-out clause of £55m and is likely to be linked with transfers to bigger clubs once again in the summer.

Speaking in late August, Arteta said he was happy with his options up front. “We have some great strikers. Gabi Jesus is there, Kai has played there a lot of minutes, Leo ( ) has played there and we believe we have all the necessities as well. We fully trust our players. We want to get better for sure and we will try but we are going to try with the players that are already with us.”

Sesko is ambitious, but is happy in east Germany for now. "I had a good first year at RB Leipzig and am incredibly happy to be here,” he said when signing a new deal in the summer, just one year after he arrived. “Team, club, city, fans – the overall package is simply outstanding for me. The early contract extension was therefore the logical next step for me.”

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