Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko has now had his release clause finalised, but there’s a deadline to activate the clause.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - APRIL 13: Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Heavily linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, Benjamin Sesko has made some headlines again this weekend with an excellent goal and new updates on his release clause.

Philipp Hinze of Sky Sport Germany reports that Sesko’s release clause has now been finalised at €65m (£55.9m).

The contract contained various performance-based factors that could increase the clause to as much as €70-75m, but with the season now over, the figure is set.

Hinze later added that there’s a deadline on Sesko’s release clause, and it must be triggered by the end of June.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - APRIL 13: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig applauds the fans following the team's victory during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig applauds the fans following the team’s victory during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Sam Dean recently reported for The Telegraph that Arsenal have a strong interest in Sesko, and they’re considering a summer move for the young forward.

Rival suitors for the player reportedly believe Arsenal are in pole position for the signing, with the Gunners prioritising a move to strengthen their squad in forward areas in the upcoming window.

Among those rival suitors are Manchester United and Chelsea, and there have also been reports of interest from AC Milan.

Benjamin Sesko's agent attends Arsenal's match against Chelsea (Photo via Basanovic on Instagram)
Benjamin Sesko’s agent attends Arsenal’s match against Chelsea (Photo via Basanovic on Instagram)

Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has been pictured at a couple of Arsenal games in recent weeks, sharing photos at the Emirates Stadium before the 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea and at Old Trafford before the 1-0 win at the weekend.

But it’s worth mentioning that amid links to Manchester United and Chelsea as well, the agent attended Chelsea’s match against Manchester United on April 4th and United’s match against Liverpool on March 17th.

Arsenal have been linked with Sesko since November, when the Mirror reported that the Gunners had sent scouts to watch him playing in the Bundesliga ahead of a potential move.

The Athletic then reported that Sesko was among the names on Arsenal’s striker shortlist for 2024.

HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY - APRIL 20: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig scores his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and RB Leipzig at Voith-Arena on April 20, 2024 in Heidenheim, Germany. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig scores his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and RB Leipzig at Voith-Arena on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Sesko has 18 goals and two assists in 42 games (22 starts) this season, averaging a goal or assist every 103 minutes. He ended the season with goals in seven consecutive Bundesliga fixtures.

That’s an impressive record for a 20-year-old striker in a top-five European league, and the player’s age fits nicely with recent claims from David Ornstein and John Cross that Arsenal might be looking for a younger long-term signing up front.