Sought-after striker Benjamin Sesko is believed to have a release clause in his contract with RB Leipzig that is expected to increase over time.

Sesko is considered one of Europe's top young strikers but opted against a high profile transfer last summer in order to sign a new deal with Leipzig until 2029.

There was thought to be an understanding that Sesko, in return for having committed to that contract, would actually be allowed to move on in 2025. But rather than simply a verbal agreement, it is coming to flight there is a formal clause involved.

Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg and Philipp Hinze have reported that a release clause on a sliding scale exists.

The first opportunity for a buying club to activate it will be in the summer, by which point it could already have grown from its current €70m (£58m) to €80m (£66m). That is because the number inflates when various things are triggered, be it games played, goals scored or assists.

Sesko is of interest to "all top English clubs" except Manchester City, seemingly because Erling Haaland already exists at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur each need a reliable goalscorer up front.

The 21-year-old, picked up by Red Bull Salzburg at the age of 16, has a respectable if not outstanding goalscoring record at this early stage of his career. Upon joining Leipzig in 2023, staying within the Red Bull family, he netted 14 goals in his debut Bundesliga season. So far in 2024/25, he has ten in 23 league appearances, swelling to 17 in 34 across all competitions.

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