Chelsea and Arsenal dealt transfer blow as release clause of 'the next Erling Haaland' revealed

Arsenal and Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow in their plans to sign a new striker this summer.

The two London rivals have endured very different seasons; Arsenal are currently fighting for the Premier League title, while Chelsea have spent much of the campaign knocking about mid-table.

Yet despite their differing fortunes, something both clubs have lacked this season is a prolific striker.

Nicolas Jackson has endured a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge, and has been largely outshone by midfielder Cole Palmer.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz has improved as the season has gone on, but he is never going to be a 25-goal a season striker.

Both clubs are eyeing up a move for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, a striker the official Bundesliga website compared to Manchester City's Erling Haaland, and not just because of his imposing frame.

The 20-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided two assists in 40 games in all competitions during his first season in Germany, having joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer.

Sesko has always had a sharp eye for goal; he scored 59 goals in 23 games while playing at U15s level in his native Slovenia.

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It's no wonder Arsenal and Chelsea are licking their lips, but signing Sesko might prove to be more costly than first anticipated despite the fact that there is a release clause in his contract.

According to Sky Sports journalist Philipp Hinze, the value of the release clause - that will become active this summer - has increased since the January transfer window as it is performance-based.

In January the release clause stood at €50 million (£43m), but a strong second half of the season has seen the figure rise to €65m (£55.7m).

The value of the clause is impacted by playing time, goals and assists.

In the first half of the Bundesliga season, Sesko scored three goals in 14 appearances. In the second half, he has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 15 outings.

According to Hinze, any club that wants to sign Sesko might have to stump up as much as €75m (£64.3m).

AC Milan are also reportedly interested in the Slovenian striker, who will face England in the group stages of Euro 2024 this summer.

A release clause allowed Man City to sign Erling Haaland for around £52m in 2022, but it looks likely that whoever wins the race for Sesko will end up paying significantly more than that.

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