To be a big club, you act like a big club.
To clarify, Arsenal are a massive club, but do not always act like it.
Do you think a club like Manchester City or Bayern Munich would negotiate for a player for months and still not know the asking price, remain undecided over that valuation, and appear indecisive?
Benjamin Sesko was first linked with a move to North London this time last year. It was even suggested that no business was done in January because Arsenal believed the striker would be available this summer.
So it would be embarrassing, and a complete waste of time, if Arsenal do not end up signing their first-choice target.
Release clause demand raises red flags
If it is true that the 22-year-old is demanding a release clause in any contract, Arsenal should walk away immediately.
Speaking on the Transfers Podcast, journalist Duncan Castles said: “I understand that Sesko is asking for an exit clause on any deal he agrees with Arsenal and he would like that release clause to be set at just 20% increase on whatever price they end up paying for him.”
He added: “It’s quite unusual to ask for something like that when you’re moving from, let’s say a second-tier European club to one that is perceived as a first-tier club and one of the most financially affluent clubs in European football and I think it’s unlikely that Arsenal would agree to a deal on those terms.”
That is not what Gooners want to hear from a player who is supposed to fire us to the title.
If accurate, the rumour raises serious concerns about his mindset and how he perceives the club.
Supporters want to hear about a player’s passion for the shirt and his hunger to solve our scoring issues, not pre-planned exit strategies.
He has not even set foot in London, yet he is reportedly thinking about his escape route.
It would be like attending a job interview and listing all the dates you are unavailable to work. It is hardly a demonstration of commitment.
Most of us would not dream of asking that, especially not while earning hundreds of thousands of pounds per week.
He would not dare make such demands of Barcelona or Real Madrid. And if that is the level we are supposed to be competing with, we must not tolerate this.
Does Sesko have the right mindset for Arsenal?
Arteta made it clear when he returned to the Emirates that he has non-negotiables. He has frozen players out, sent them on loan, and terminated contracts for much less than a release clause demand.
If this rumour is true, it is hard to imagine the manager staying silent.
And if the dressing room still had leaders like Tony Adams or Lee Dixon, any young player making such a demand would be reminded quickly of the expectations that come with playing for Arsenal.
If legends like Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira showed respect to the badge, then so should a player who has never scored more than 14 league goals in Germany.
Sesko’s best return was 16 goals, but that came in Austria.
Perhaps this is destiny. Many Gooners have long preferred Viktor Gyokeres due to his superior scoring record in Portugal and perceived fit for the Premier League.
While scouts say Sesko has a high ceiling, that does not mean he can look down on Arsenal.
We are offering him the chance to play under the lights and follow in the footsteps of club legends.
But if he does not see that for what it is, then he lacks the mentality to help us reach the next level.
Let us hope this rumour is just that.
Dan Smith
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Yup, we want to be seen as a destination and not a stepping stone.
It’s not smart from him, if true – if he wanted to move in 3 years after proving himself at arsenal, it would very likely happen soon after (assuming he was playing well enough to attract the attention of the clubs he wanted), we’d just be in a position to bargain. Who knows, a clause might enable him to join a rival in England. Wouldn’t want that.
Agree, if this is true, we need to walk away now and bring in someone who really wants to be here.
Agreed
For me if the player is already looking for an escape route before even signing, then the club should show him the door.
The power is all with the player’s these days. Although the player has to have a certain amount of power, they have far to much power in my opinion. And it’s something that needs leveling out. It’s not good for the game them having most of the power.
For me contact’s today aren’t worth the paper their written on. We all know that all the player has to do is kick up a stink, and in most cases, clubs will back down as they don’t want a player who will become an irritant.
Many may agree with you about player power generally, but it won’t happen. As long as there is a demand for top class players another club will almost certainly be “coming along”, like they used to say about London Buses.
While there’s nothing particularly wrong with release clauses, although they do have their faults, asking for/demanding a 20% premium in his circumstances is very odd. We’ll have to see what happens to him if/when Arsenal moves on.
If it’s true, then that would be a game-changer as far as signing him is concerned, I think. Again, if true then Arsenal needs to move on quickly to whatever Plan B is for a striker – assuming they have such a plan (and if they don’t, why don’t they?).
Can’t believe he said that though, if he did then no love left for him with most of us gunners, after all most fans want Gyokeres over him, they hav been waiting for scenarios like this, i mean anything to happen to prevent the move so that they get Gyokeres
Since last summer of last season MA & Co doesn’t know what it will take to land Sesko if they have been convinced that he’s the one that will deliver. A player that has never scored above 14 goals in Germany league giving conditions to Arsenal before he’ll sign for the club. Arsenal is also unseriously eyeing Gyokeres that already has premier league experience and has won trophies back to back in Portugal. MA & Co are still busy dancing around Benjy Sesko. You see one thing, you will be addressed by the way you dress up or behave. How many deals have the likes of Liverpool and Man.City done and dusted. Before you know it the summer window will close and the club will settle with Chelsea’s left overs or fall outs. All these excuses of not going all out to sign Victor Osimhen that’s a proven winner on account of African Nations Cup doesn’t add up at all, some are saying that he has anger issues excuse me please, can’t we set it aside and focus on his lethal prowess to deliver the much desired league trophy and more money, which one is preferred?Don’t forget that Mane and Salah were in Liverpool and they won trophies for them and they too do participate in the same nations cup. If the recruiting team really knows who and who they need that will fit in and deliver, where to get them, when to get them and how to get them then this children acts will cease. How can Sesko be telling them or setting his release clause while he is yet to sign, this shows that his eyes is somewhere else and Arsenal is the conduit pipe to be used. They better shine their eyes 👀 o.
I’d hate to think we’ve wasted the dest part of a month chasing a player who was never really set on achieving success at Arsenal. If I were Arteta I wouldn’t even continue dialogue with the player or agent if the rumours are true. The club is way bigger than any player and, no matter how good a player is, he’s never that good that you put yourself over a barrel. If it’s true, just walk away now because he’s not worth it. However, it could all be lies and a deal is already done? One thing is for sure though, we need to get some signings completed ASAP because there’s always the dreaded typical slow Arsenal summer transfer window to get right up our noses and this looks like another typical summer for Arsenal fans so far!
It’s almost certain that the release clause demand (if true) was made by his agent(s) and not him personally as they are the people talking with our people. If it turns out to be his demand, we should walk away as we are a big club and not a stepping stone to move on somewhere else in a couple of years.
buy out? bye bye
It might just not be true.
Even Gyokeres has come out and said that a lot in the media about him right now is false. I’m sure he’s referring to the reports of him going on strike, refusal to make peace with his club and rejecting all other clubs just to wait for Arsenal.
But if these reports of Sesko and a release clause are true, add to that the reports of a high salary demand, then I agree with all the posts above mine. We shouldn’t even sign him anymore cos he probably feels he’s doing us a favour.
That said, I will also add an unpopular point. Why on Earth will Sesko view us as a stepping stone? Maybe he perceives that were probably more interested in being well run than going all out for sporting rewards. Liverpool has been decicive in filling obvious gaps. Same with City. Those guys are our competition. And we’re here waiting to sign players in July due to accounting reasons as though other clubs do not do same accounting.
I’m sorry but I think he doesn’t feel were ambitious enough and wouldn’t want to be stuck with us when a more ambitious club comes calling.
It’s a very grevious insult for a player of Sesko’s standing to ask for a release clause, especially of that nature from a club of our stature when no other European club is even looking in his direction.
I just hope it’s all fake news.
Moreover, if we sign him and hand him that ridiculous clause, what will players like Saliba and Saka think? These are players who were currently working hard to secure their futures to keep away from other clubs. They’ve been far better than Sesko in their careers. They will seriously think twice before signing the new contracts and will probably ask for similar clauses due to lack of trust in the future of the club
It’s his agent.
Though I’m sure like most strikers, he’d love to be in the frame for Barcelona when Lewandowski moves on, or for Bayern when Kane goes. Let’s be real, what striker in his position wouldn’t?
His dream club is not our business. We cannot be signing players who see us as a stepping stone. That’s for the Brightons and Dortmunds of this world.
And let’s be honest, he’s a footballing nobody
Arsenal needs to part ways with this player before he disrupts the harmony and stability that Arteta has worked so hard to establish in the dressing room. It’s crucial to protect the team spirit and focus on building a positive environment!
Even if he doesn’t want a release clause I still don’t want Arsenal to sign him, his record is average and for silly money he’s not worth the price, Germany has shipped quite a few duds to England over the last few years, the likes of Havertz, Werner and Nkunku spring to mind.
Gyökeres openly wants a move to Arsenal. Any player who wants to play for the club is worth 2 of a player who is on the fence. Besides, Gyökeres at least has experience of English football. Plenty of players have had a ‘high ceiling’ and failed to get anywhere near it and Sesko could easily be another. He clearly has some talent but I have not seen any natural flair for finishing, which is exactly what Arsenal need right now. Get Gyökeres in and let him tear Virgil to pieces next season. Why doesn’t the club want us to be happy?
Ben, completely agree! Give me a player any day, who wants to play for the Club, not looking at Arsenal as a stepping stone to Real Madrid or Barcelona. As far as agents being blamed for comments regarding players, they work for the player, who should be strong enough to control their agenda. Gyokeres has openly stated that he wants to play for Arsenal, is prepared to stand up to his current club to gain exit (based on his opinion he had an agreement to leave), has a better goal scoring record and UK experience with Coventry City.
If Arsenal had true ambition, they would buy both, or at least a second striker to ensure completion and cover, to avoid the shortcomings exposed since Aubameyang and Lacazette left.
100% agree, mate. If the club had a better track record I think the mood amongst the fans would be different. But they don’t, so it ain’t.
Even though I really wanted Sesko I agree that we should walk away.
Release clause is not a problem for me at least. Don’t see Isak moaning about his.
If he moves to a big club he wants to compete and win titles or trophies I imagine, not content with runner up.
Stance is ok for fans demanding/expecting trophies, but not ok for a player we bring in?
We are not winning trophies or titles, so maybe he doesn’t want to be stuck at a club happy to finish top 4 and CL, and lacks ambition for more.
Many of us want trophies and titles, maybe he does as well.
Slap a release clause of 120 million and make him happy.
What’s wrong with release clause? Most European clubs have it. Even Wenger tried to capitalise on it when he made that infamous +1 offer to sign Suarez from Liverpool. Some nations have in their constitutions the clause of ‘right of secession’ if one part of the nation wants to dismember itself from the nation. If Arsenal cite this as an excuse to abandon Sesko, for me it’s inflexibility because clubs must adapt to the situation. It used to be non negotiable to sign a player for 100m but Arsenal adapted to the context by signing Rice. Nothing is written on the stones in this dynamic world. The warring sides reconcile. Arsrnal should use multi pronged approach to bolster itself. The bottom line is winning those elusive trophies. Maybe Berta had worked before in the system of release clauses so clash of cultures. No problem inserting release clauses so long as we acquire best players.
If I were a footballer I might be looking at securing a deal with Sesko’s agent.
I got a better offer and I left my former place of work.
🤷🏽♂️
Did it again.
Nothing new.
Done that before.
And if I get much bigger deals elsewhere – no remorse – I’m gone.
The CEO can see this.
(how do I put my signature here)
Thrill✍🏽
📸📸😊📹
Well, I do feel Sesko is massively overrated for now as a star player but I have no problems with someone wanting more money from an institution wanting more productivity.
Big goes big not unusually.
Clubs dump players when they deem it fit; players should have reverse powers.
Fair play.
The clubs are mere brands . . .
Players are the real content in any game / sport . . .
Those who don’t secure great deals and make money are generally described as unsuccessful.
I do not think I would want to be in that class as a player in hot demand in a high demand game as football is.
Give me the money.
Keep the trophy.
Keep the story.
I’m not sorry.
Great article Dan. Not looking good for Sesko. Why would he want an “escape route” if he was moving to a big club? For me that is a big red flag, not to mention the fact that Sesko wants a larger contract than what we are giving him.
Don’t get me wrong, he is a great player, but the way he is negotiating makes me doubt if we will get him. Hope Gyokeres doesn’t do the same thing. His situation is looking pretty bad at the moment.