A clue arrived on social media this morning that suggests AC Milan are taking concrete steps in their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
The agency that represents Sesko revealed on social media that they have representatives in Milano, posting a picture of the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele amid the links between their client and AC Milan.
Interest confirmed
Calciomercato.com have now confirmed that Sesko is one of the names circled in red as Milan look to replace Olivier Giroud with a young striker who can lead the line for years to come, while Joshua Zirkzee also remains on the list.
Sesko’s name had been the subject of discussion between his agent and the previous management of Milan in recent seasons as Elvis Basanovic, number one of Pro Transfer, revealed to Sportitalia last October.
“I can confirm that In the past I have already spoken to Milan about Sesko, when Maldini was there. But at that moment the transfer was not possible, it was not the right time,” he said.
“In the future you never know: Milan is a great club. Sesko currently feels very good at Leipzig where he is continuing his growth path.”
The present situation
The game between Milan and Cagliari could represent the opportunity – but at the moment there is no confirmation of an imminent meeting – to take stock of the situation with Geoffrey Moncada and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Sesko – who arrived in Leipzig in the summer of 2023 after his apprenticeship at Red Bull Salzburg – is contracted to the German team until 30 June 2028 and is considered by experts as one of the most promising players on the European scene.
His name has even ended up in the notebooks of important Premier League teams like Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, and his current club has set a release clause with a variable value depending on appearances and of the number of goals scored.
The Leipzig wall
Strengthened by the 16 goals and two assists distributed across the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League, in recent months the Slovenian’s release clause has gone from €50m to €65m and could yet rise to €75m.
These are high figures, and Leipzig head coach Marco Rose made it clear that there is no desire to sell a player with his talent and potential.
“It took Sesko six months to get used to our game system, but his potential quickly became apparent,” he said.
“At the beginning of the second half of the season and also in the winter training camp he attracted so much attention to himself and made his way into first team, playing a lot. And scoring a lot of goals. Overall, Sesko has developed great. And Leipzig is still a good fit for him, next season too.”
If Zirzkee is also gonna cost 60mil, what’s the issue? Bid for both and see which one is accepted
I dont think milan will pay 60 mil for one season wonder like zirkzee
They will use Alexis as the bargain and hope close him on 35-40 Mil
P.s:
With just 15 goals contribution i dont think zirkzee worth 40 Mil
who would be your choice? I mean as per transfermark, Zirkzee has 12 goals and 7 assists. Leao has 13 and 13. If we go just by numbers, we say Leao is 150M, then Zirkzee is indeed 60ish. Sometimes numbers dont tell the whole story. I’m with you though, he’s a one season wonder. Problem is, if he replicates the season, he’d be 150M. We seem to have forgotten about J.David. He seems cheaper and just as good.
Lukaku is available for 38 Mil – although i dont like him – but at least he is proven and currently better than all of those names.
I will tell u why im saying Lukaku – we got many strikers after Inzaghi left from Andre Silva to Bacca to Piatek and so on and so forth. The only one who managed to actually do well was a proven striker like Giroud who has been there done that. Lukaku isnt Giroud in terms of quality but he is a proven Serie A striker.
A release clause is usually a pre-agreed figure. It can not rise based on performance unless a new contract is drawn up.
How can it rise from 50mil if that’s what was originally set?
Well release clause can be formulated like this: if player scores 10 goals, release clause will be 60 instead of 50, or will rise by X percent for every goal, or every 10 goals.
It’s all negotiable and can be whatever player and club agrees. Sometimes release clause has time restrictions, or works only for clubs from other leagues, but not the same league and so on.
It can if there’s a clause in the contract.
Just like how transfer fee can increase by performance etc, if there’s clause in the contract itself about buyout clause and the player sign it, then the clause is active.
For example, in Spain it’s considered normal that there’s 2 separate clause : buyout clause if the club stay on the league and different buyout clause in regards of relegation.
IF we are serious about signing this kid – pay the release clause and be done with it. Leipzig will not haggle for price. Pay the clause or move on to the player we will probably end up with in the end anyways – Giurassy for only 17M lol. I cannot see us paying 65M for ANY player – but miracles can happen lol. Let’s hope so. Moneyball