Arsenal handed major Benjamin Sesko transfer boost as forward snubs mega-money move

Arsenal have been chasing RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko for a year, and the Slovenia international has now rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in order to play at the Club World Cup

Benjamin Sesko could be on his way to Arsenal

Arsenal are set to press ahead with their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, after the Slovenian international snubbed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia in time for the Club World Cup.

Saudi club Al Hilal had earmarked Sesko as their third choice in their quest for a marquee forward to join Aleksandar Mitrovic in their squad for the US-based tournament this summer.

However, they needed to seal the deal by 7pm GMT on Tuesday to register new players for the group stages.

Al Hilal are due to kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Real Madrid next Wednesday, and they're keen to use the tournament as a platform to showcase the progress made by Saudi teams in recent years, despite criticism of their Pro League.

One of their main strategies is splashing the cash, but Al Hilal's attempts to land Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres fell flat before Sesko, who is looking to exit Leipzig this summer but prefers to remain in Europe, reports the Mirror.

These forward rejections follow Al Hilal's unsuccessful bid to lure Bruno Fernandes, who chose to stick with Manchester United rather than join his Portuguese compatriots Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves in Saudi Arabia.

The Gunners have been hot on Sesko's trail for a year, and nearly clinched a deal for the 22-year-old last summer.

He's been on their watchlist ever since, along with the sought-after Gyokeres and Newcastle's star player Alexander Isak.

Given the wide interest in Gyokeres and Isak's hefty price tag of over £100million, the Slovenian is viewed as a more feasible signing.

Despite Sesko's impressive tally of 21 goals in 45 matches across all competitions, Leipzig failed to secure a spot in European football this season. The Bundesliga team are now poised to bid farewell to both the striker and attacking midfielder Xavi Simons to boost their coffers.

Sesko could pocket up to four times more at Al Hilal than he would at Arsenal. While a move there can't be dismissed when the transfer window swings open again next Monday, his apparent snub of this interest seems to bode well for the Gunners.