Arsenal: Benjamin Sesko staying at RB Leipzig as Mikel Arteta turns to new transfer targets

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been dealt a blow after Benjamin Sesko decided to sign a new contract and stay at RB Leipzig.

The striker had been attracting interest from the three Premier League rivals after scoring 14 Bundesliga goals last season.

Sesko was available for £55million this summer due to a release clause in his contract, but he has opted to stay at Leipzig and continue his development there.

The 21-year-old is set to sign a new deal with the German side and will land a pay rise after his fine form last season.

Sesko had always planned to make a decision on his future before Euro 2024, where he will represent Slovenia and play against England in their final group game.

Arsenal had been viewed as the frontrunners to sign the striker if he left Leipzig, with their project under Mikel Arteta an attractive one.

Chelsea and United were also tracking him and had hoped he could be persuaded to join them. Sesko had also received lucrative offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but he had no interest in leaving Europe.

Leipzig have offered him the opportunity to thrive as their main striker. They will also be competing in the Champions League next season and Sesko will have the chance to develop away from the glare that comes with a big club.

His decision is a blow to Arsenal, who scored a club-record 91 Premier League goals last season but want to add more firepower to their attack. At 6ft 4ins, Sesko offered the Gunners a different profile of forward and his form for Leipzig had impressed scouts.

Arsenal and Chelsea will now pursue other targets.

The Gunners are interested in Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. They are also looking at wide forwards, including Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, and may sign a winger instead of an out-and-out striker.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.