RB Leipzig have sent a clear and resounding message to Benjamin Šeško following reports of an £88.5 million ‘transfer agreement’ between the striker and Premier League side Arsenal. The Bundesliga club, renowned for their youth development and strong stance on contract control, have moved swiftly to shut down any notion of an imminent exit for the Slovenian forward.
Over recent weeks, Arsenal’s interest in Šeško has accelerated. The Gunners, looking to add a clinical No.9 to their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, had reportedly reached an informal agreement with the 21-year-old forward. The deal was believed to be worth around £88.5 million — a fee that would activate a release clause in Šeško’s contract, set to take effect this summer.
However, Leipzig’s stance has now shifted dramatically. Rather than preparing for life without their rising star, the club have confirmed that Šeško will remain with them for the upcoming season. In a powerful statement of intent, they issued a public message aimed both at Arsenal and their own player — reaffirming the club’s belief in Šeško’s development and commitment to their long-term project.
Leipzig’s Message: ‘Unfinished Business’
A spokesperson for the club stated:
> “Benjamin Šeško is a key part of our future. We have had excellent discussions with him and his representatives. He understands what we’re building here and wants to be part of it. There’s still unfinished business in Leipzig.”
The club’s message is both symbolic and strategic. Šeško, who scored 18 goals across all competitions last season, is seen as the next major export from RB Leipzig’s prolific talent pipeline. However, unlike the swift exits of Dominik Szoboszlai or Christopher Nkunku, Leipzig are keen to delay his departure and extract maximum sporting and financial value before eventually sanctioning a big-money move.
Player’s Role in the Decision
It’s understood that Šeško himself has played a role in cooling the transfer speculation. Despite Arsenal’s tempting proposal and the allure of Premier League football under Mikel Arteta, the Slovenian striker has opted for continuity. He reportedly told Leipzig officials he wants to develop further in Germany before making the leap to a top-tier European club.
Insiders say that the player appreciates Leipzig’s trust and the platform the club has given him. His current deal runs until 2028, and though a release clause exists, it’s believed Leipzig and Šeško are exploring a contract extension or restructuring that would remove or delay that clause — effectively ruling out a transfer this summer.
Arsenal Left Re-Evaluating Options
For Arsenal, this comes as a significant blow. Mikel Arteta had identified Šeško as the ideal addition to compete with — or even replace — Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the central striker role. The Gunners had been tracking Šeško for over a year, with Edu personally involved in negotiations.
With the Slovenian now off the market — at least temporarily — Arsenal may be forced to pivot toward other targets. Names like Viktor Gyökeres, Ivan Toney, and Joshua Zirkzee are expected to be revisited as Arteta insists on adding physicality and clinical finishing to his frontline.
The Gunners’ focus now shifts toward damage control and alternative planning. Despite reportedly agreeing on personal terms with Šeško weeks ago, the absence of a final deal with Leipzig has left them exposed, and the German side have capitalized on that uncertainty to retain their prized asset.
A Strategic Move by Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s move is not just about keeping a talented striker; it’s about preserving their sporting ambitions and sending a message to other clubs circling around their top talents. The club is determined to break Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen’s domestic dominance and sees Šeško as vital to that project.
Furthermore, by holding onto Šeško, Leipzig can allow his value to appreciate further — especially if he impresses in the Champions League next season or at the 2026 World Cup, where he is likely to lead Slovenia’s line. A future deal could easily eclipse the current £88.5m clause.
Conclusion
In this ever-shifting transfer landscape, RB Leipzig have taken a rare stand — choosing sporting success over short-term financial gain. By sending Benjamin Šeško a strong message of belief and trust, they’ve managed to halt Arsenal’s £88.5m raid and reassert their identity as more than just a selling club.
As for Arsenal, the search for their marquee summer striker continues — but for now, they must come to terms with
losing a player they believed was theirs.
