BREAKING NEWS LIVE Arsenal ‘step up’ offer for star Euro striker with £59m bid prepared to blow Barcelona away

Arsenal could lodge an offer for Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal have reportedly decided to ‘step up’ their offer for Benjamin Sesko, setting aside approximately £59million to land the striker, a figure rival interested side Barcelona will find ‘difficult’ to pay.

Arsenal are aware of the need to improve up top. Just as Gabriel Jesus hit form as Kai Havertz’s understudy, he was sidelined with a major injury that’s likely to keep him out all season.

Bukayo Saka has also been sidelined for months, and Mikel Arteta has revealed his intention to land a new attacker.

RB Leipzig’s Sesko has been frequently linked with the Gunners, and a recent report stated they were weighing up making an offer of £70million for the striker.

Now, El Nacional states they have indeed ‘decided to step up their efforts’ for Sesko, but they will only put an offer of €70million (£59.2m/$72.6m) on the table.

Interest in the Leipzig man from Barcelona has also recently been reported.

However, the new report states their financial limitations make it ‘difficult to compete’ with the financial power of the Premier League, leaving the way open for Arsenal. It seems unlikely that a bid of that value would be accepted, though.

READ MORE: The key contract details of every Arsenal first-team player: Expiry dates, weekly wages, agents…

Arsenal would need to lodge mammoth offer

The willingness from Sesko to join Arsenal has reportedly already been shown, though the club-to-club negotiations provide an obstacle.

The striker’s own agent has suggested a January move is unlikely unless a mammoth offer arrives.

In the summer, those problems will not be in the way, as Sesko is said to have a gentleman’s agreement with Leipzig to leave then.