MN: Why RB Leipzig striker Sesko can be crossed off Milan’s list

Benjamin Sesko was talked about as being a serious target for AC Milan in view of the summer mercato, but the chances of him ending up in Serie A are next to none.

According to MilanNews, the idea of Sesko ending up at Milan or in Italy in general is ‘very difficult, if not impossible’, despite the fact his agents visited Milano in the past couple of weeks which sparked the rumours.

The 20-year-old at RB Leipzig – who turns 21 tomorrow – does not have a valuation dictated by his club but by the €65m release clause in his contract. To this we must add the agents’ commission which should be around 10%.

This means that an interest clubs would have to invest over €70m in fees up front to land him, with Leipzig unwilling to negotiate the clause and instead wanting to get full value for a player with undoubted talent.

In recent weeks the Bundesliga club have been trying to find an agreement over a renewal, offering the Slovenia international a big pay rise from €2m net per year to around €3.5m after a season with 18 goals in 42 games where most came from January onwards.

Thus, it seems almost impossible for him to come to Italy. Only Napoli – in the event of Victor Osimhen’s sale – could afford him. Instead there are two big names in the Premier League that are pushing hard to get him: Chelsea and Arsenal.

Other offers, i.e. those outside Europe from Saudi Arabia, will not be evaluated by the player. So a move to England or another year at Leipzig are the only options left on the table.