Alan Shearer gives honest Benjamin Sesko verdict amid £41m Arsenal transfer update

Alan Shearer believes it's "only a matter of time" before Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko is playing in the Premier League. Sesko, 21, was linked with a switch to the Gunners during the summer transfer window.

The Slovenia international was among a number of strikers - including Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen - tipped to make the move to the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta looked to bolster his forward line. However, Sesko opted against joining the Gunners and instead signed a new five-year contract at RB Leipzig.

Sesko's new deal at the Bundesliga side is set to run out in June 2029, although it's been reported that there is a gentleman's agreement for him to leave next summer. That has sparked rumours that Arsenal could come back in for the £41million-rated forward, who has scored nine in 21 games this season.

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And speaking before Leipzig's Champions League meeting with Aston Villa, former Newcastle and Blackburn star Shearer has backed Sesko to move to the Premier League. After Sesko was compared to Erling Haaland, Shearer told Amazon Prime: "He has the same frame. He is as quick as he is. He can certainly travel with the ball like he can.

"He is very good at scoring goals. He is very good at bringing people into the game, so I get the comparison.

"I like him a lot. I know he is very young - he is only 21 years of age so he's got a lot of learning to do - but without doubt there is a top-class footballer in there.

"I think it's only a matter of time before he's playing, maybe even in the Premier League."

When asked if he has the skill-set to make it in the Premier League, Shearer added: "I do, I think it's a matter of who can afford him. There is no doubt that this football club have history of making an absolute fortune on transfers and this guy could be the next one to come into the Premier League.

"Either foot - left or right - which is great to see. The work rate, the work off the ball, he's got all them things and he's got very good technique, good balance and I don't think there is a doubt in my mind that and he would look very comfortable in the Premier League. I do think he has a lot to learn, but he can learn no doubt."

Sesko has been impressive for Leipzig since arriving from RB Salzburg in 2023, but he wasn't at his best during the 3-2 defeat against Villa on Tuesday night. In fact, Sesko was hauled off in the 76th minute having had just one shot and 26 touches throughout the game at the Red Bull Arena.

"No [he hasn't done much to push his price up]," Shearer added. "If you were a scout coming to watch him for the first time tonight, you wouldn't be that impressed, he's certainly better than what he's shown tonight."