RB Leipzig Winger Rejects £88m Offer, Releases Emotional Statement on Loyalty and Ambition
RB Leipzig’s star winger Benjamin Šeško has turned down an £88 million bid from an unnamed Premier League giant, issuing a powerful personal statement reaffirming his commitment to the Bundesliga club and his long-term vision for success in Saxony. The 21-year-old Slovenian, who has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season, confirmed the approach came during the final week of the summer transfer window but insisted his focus remains on leading Leipzig’s charge in the Champions League and domestic titles.
In a statement posted to his official Instagram account late Tuesday evening, Šeško wrote:
> “I am aware of the offer and the interest it represents. £88 million is a number that turns heads, but football for me has never been about the price tag. I came to Leipzig not to be sold, but to build something lasting. This club believed in me when I was 18, gave me a platform, and surrounded me with a project that matches my hunger. I owe it to the fans, to my teammates, and to myself to see this through. The Premier League will always be there. Right now, my story is red and white.”
The bid, widely reported to have originated from Arsenal, would have shattered Leipzig’s outgoing transfer record and made Šeško the most expensive Slovenian player in history. Sources within the club say director Rouven Schröder held crisis talks with Šeško’s representatives in early September after the offer was formally tabled, with a £75 million upfront payment and £13 million in performance-related add-ons. Leipzig had no intention of selling but were prepared to listen above £100 million—a threshold the bidding club refused to meet.
Šeško’s decision has been met with widespread praise in Germany. Leipzig head coach Marco Rose, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach, hailed the forward’s maturity. “Benji could’ve tripled his wages overnight, but he asked me one question: ‘Coach, can we win the Champions League here?’ When I said we’re building for exactly that, he smiled and said, ‘Then I stay.’ That’s the mentality we want.”
The rejection caps a remarkable 18 months for Šeško, who joined from RB Salzburg in July 2023 for £20 million and has since evolved into one of Europe’s most coveted young attackers. His 26-goal haul last season helped Leipzig secure a third-place finish and DFB-Pokal triumph, while his explosive pace and clinical finishing have drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland—his former Salzburg teammate turned Manchester City goal machine.
Leipzig’s sporting director Schröder confirmed the club has opened contract extension talks, with Šeško’s current deal running until 2028. A new agreement is expected to include a release clause north of £120 million, effective from summer 2026, balancing the player’s loyalty with the club’s business model. “We don’t want to block anyone’s dream,” Schröder told *kicker*. “But Benjamin has chosen to write the next chapter here. That’s rare in modern football.”
Fans have flooded social media with support, trending #ŠeškoStays within hours of the statement. One viral post from the official RB Leipzig Ultras account read: “Money comes and goes. Legends are made in Leipzig.” The club responded by unveiling a limited-edition Šeško banner for Saturday’s home match against Augsburg, featuring the caption *“Not for sale. For glory.”*
The snub deals a blow to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who had identified Šeško as the ideal long-term successor to Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners instead moved for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku on deadline day in a £65 million deal. Meanwhile, Šeško’s decision keeps Leipzig’s attacking core intact alongside Loïs Openda and Xavi Simons, positioning them as genuine contenders in a wide-open Bundesliga race where they trail leaders Bayern Munich by just three points.
As the January window looms, interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain is expected to resurface. But Šeško’s statement has drawn a line in the sand. “I don’t need to prove myself elsewhere to know my worth,” he concluded. “I’ll do it in the Champions League knockout stages, in front of the Red Bull Arena, with 42,000 singing my name.”
For now, the £88 million offer is consigned to the history books. In Leipzig, they’re calling it the best rejection money can’t buy.