Jurgen Klopp gushes over £59m Arsenal transfer target with 'incredible potential'
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Jurgen Klopp says he is ‘happy’ to have Benjamin Sesko at RB Leipzig, praising the forward’s ‘incredible potential’ after his wondergoal against Werder Bremen.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp began work as Red Bull GmbH’s head of global soccer earlier this month, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.
The 57-year-old will advise Red Bull’s international network of teams – which includes Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig – on coaching matters, playing philosophy, development and recruitment.
On Sunday, Klopp was in the stands as RB Leipzig took on Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and the German was treated to a thriller as the hosts ran out 4-2 winners to keep the pressure on third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Xavi Simons scored a first-half brace and Christoph Baumgartner netted late on in an entertaining victory for Marco Rose’s side – but undoubtedly the moment of the match came just moments after the break at Red Bull Arena.
After the visitors gave away possession on the touchline, Sesko burst forward with pace and sent a thunderous 25-yard strike flying into the top corner to notch his fifth goal in six games.
‘My plans with him are that he scores more goals like he scored on Sunday. That was a really good one,’ Klopp told reporters when asked what the future holds for Sesko while facing the media today.
‘I was pretty impressed, he played a good game. He’s a good player anyway.
‘I’ve actually known him for a while, I knew him already when he was at Salzburg. I think we played a friendly game here when he was very, very young.
‘I was really impressed, I thought, “Where do they get all these players?, ridiculous.’
The likes of Arsenal and Newcastle have long been credited with an interest in Sesko, who has scored 30 goals in 66 games for RB Leizpig.
But Klopp is relaxed about the situation, stressing that he and Leipzig head coach Rose are focussed on ensuring the attacker ‘scores as many goals as possible’ while he is still at the club.
‘I have no plans with him, just to make that clear. Don’t get it wrong, I will not show up in training and tell them what to do,’ Klopp added.
‘Our plan, and I don’t have to ask Marco Rose what his plan is with him [Sesko], I know it… he wants to help him score as many goals as possible.
‘He has space for improvement, space for development, incredible skillset, incredible potential so I’m happy that we have him.’
Recent reports emanating from Germany suggested RB Leipzig could be willing to strike a deal for the striker should they receive an offer in the region of €70million (£59m) in the summer.
The 21-year-old, who has been capped 39 times by the Slovenian national team, is tied into a contract with RB Leipzig until 2029.
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