Benjamin Sesko Transfer: Al-Hilal Ready to Tempt Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko transfer talk shows no sign of slowing, and the latest twist comes from Saudi Arabia, where ambitious Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal are preparing a blockbuster move for the RB Leipzig forward after learning Arsenal have cooled their interest.

Benjamin Sesko transfer gathers pace with Saudi interest

Al-Hilal’s hierarchy, backed by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, have made a new No. 9 their priority for the next window. Club sources in Riyadh confirm that Sesko is now at the top of their shortlist after they were quoted a prohibitive fee for Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović. Leipzig value the Slovenian at around £77 million (€90m) and insist any deal must be paid in full, but that figure is unlikely to scare off a side that spent similar sums on Neymar and Aleksandar Mitrović last summer.

Why Al-Hilal have turned to Sesko

Coach Jorge Jesus wants a striker who can both stretch defences and press aggressively. Sesko’s blend of 1.95 m frame, 34 km/h sprint speed and deft first touch fits the bill. The 20-year-old has scored 11 times in 22 Bundesliga appearances this season despite being used mainly as an impact substitute behind Lois Openda. Al-Hilal analysts believe his ceiling is higher than any centre-forward currently in the Saudi Pro League, and the chance to sign a player entering his prime years is viewed as a statement of intent.

Arsenal’s stance on the Benjamin Sesko transfer

Sporting director Edu Gaspar held preliminary talks with Sesko’s camp in January, but Arsenal have since shifted focus to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres. Mikel Arteta wants a Premier League-ready finisher who can hit the ground running, and Gyökeres’ 36 goal contributions in Portugal make him the London club’s preferred option. Sources close to Edu admit Sesko remains “on the list,” yet only at a price well below Leipzig’s asking figure, something the German side will not entertain.

Leipzig’s negotiating position

RB Leipzig are masters of the sell-high model, but they are under no immediate pressure to cash in. Sesko’s contract, renewed last year, runs until 2028 and contains no release clause until 2025. That gives sporting director Rouven Schröder the leverage to demand a fee that reflects both potential and market inflation. Leipzig also know that Saudi clubs can pay not just the transfer sum but also wages north of £300,000 per week, numbers that Premier League suitors are reluctant to match for an unproven talent at the top level.

Financial muscle and project appeal

Al-Hilal’s pitch to Sesko centres on three pillars:
1. A tax-free salary that would immediately place him among Europe’s top earners.
2. The promise of regular first-team football alongside Neymar, Malcolm and Rúben Neves.
3. A route back to elite European competition in two or three seasons, mirroring the path Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to blaze for Saudi-based talent.

Scouting report: how Sesko fits Al-Hilal

Technically, Sesko thrives in transition. His off-the-shoulder runs make him devastating when supplied early, a trait Al-Hilal exploited with Odion Ighalo in 2022. The Saudi champions often commit both full-backs high, creating central overloads; Sesko’s aerial prowess would give wingers Michael and Salman Al-Faris an obvious target. Defensively, Jorge Jesus demands high pressing from the front; Sesko’s average of 18.3 pressures per 90 in the Bundesliga ranks inside Leipzig’s top three. Put simply, he addresses tactical and commercial needs in one swoop.

Potential obstacles to the Benjamin Sesko transfer

• Player ambition: Sesko has publicly stated his dream of playing in England or Spain, and his advisors are wary of the perception that moving to Saudi Arabia at 20 could stall his development.
• Bundesliga to Pro League adaptation: While the Saudi competition’s level has risen, scouts caution that tactical intensity differs markedly from Europe’s top five leagues.
• National-team considerations: Slovenia coach Matjaž Kek will keep a close eye on whether a move away from European football affects Sesko’s sharpness ahead of Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs.

What happens next?

Al-Hilal’s chief negotiator, Fahad bin Nafel, is expected in Europe within a fortnight to open formal talks with Leipzig. The German side are open to discussion but will insist on a fee that starts at £70 million with performance bonuses rising to £85 million. If Arsenal decide to table an official offer for Gyökeres before then, Sesko’s path to the Saudi League could clear quickly.

Broader market impact

The move underscores the Saudi Pro League’s strategy of targeting under-25 talent rather than relying solely on ageing icons. Scouts from Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are monitoring Sesko’s situation closely; a successful deal could spark a domino effect in which more European clubs face direct competition for emerging stars.

Benjamin Sesko transfer timeline

• January 2023: Signs for RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg.
• August 2023: Scores on Bundesliga debut against Bayer Leverkusen.
• January 2024: Arsenal begin informal contact.
• March 2024: Al-Hilal place Sesko atop striker shortlist.
• April 2024: Leipzig set £77 million valuation; Al-Hilal ready bid.

Conclusion & Opinion

If Al-Hilal land Sesko, it will mark the clearest sign yet that Saudi clubs can pry away not just veterans seeking final paydays but also Europe’s brightest prospects. For Leipzig, it represents another lucrative flip, but for the Premier League, it is a wake-up call: ignore the Gulf’s spending power at your peril. My view? Sesko would develop faster staying in Europe, but the lure of Saudi riches and guaranteed minutes may prove irresistible—and that tension will define this summer’s market.