The Transfers Podcast: Sesko's Arsenal demand, Liverpool's next signing and Mbeumo's future

All the latest news and rumours from transfers expert Duncan Castles, who was speaking to FootballTransfers' Ronan Murphy.

Jun 20, 2025

On this week’s edition of The Transfers Podcast, Duncan Castles joins Ronan Murphy for a special episode to discuss several major transfer updates as the window begins to heat up.

The summer transfer window has officially reopened for clubs in the Premier League and a number of high-profile deals have already been confirmed, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United among the teams to have finalised moves early.

In this episode of The Transfers Podcast, Castles exclusively reveals the newest obstacle blocking Benjamin Sesko’s potential move to Arsenal, the latest on Liverpool’s pursuit of Jorrel Hato, and updates on the battle between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United for Bryan Mbeumo.

Benjamin Sesko requests Arsenal release clause

Arsenal remain in talks to sign RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, however, The Transfers Podcast understands the Slovenia international has asked for the Gunners to include a release clause in his contract.

“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% premium on whatever price Arsenal end up paying Leipzig for the striker,” Castles revealed.

“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. I think it’s unlikely that Arsenal would agree to a deal on those terms.”

Liverpool in talks to sign Jorrel Hato

Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer and Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato has emerged as a key target in recent weeks.

“There have been direct conversations between Liverpool and Hato over joining the Premier League champions this summer and those talks are taking place with the knowledge of Ajax, who are open to selling the player,” Castles told The Transfers Podcast.

“I think top European clubs missed an opportunity last summer when Ajax were struggling both on the field and financially where Hato could have been picked up on a far cheaper deal, potentially with a loan back to Ajax, but nobody took that opportunity

“Now we have a situation where Liverpool are looking at the player, with Arsenal and Chelsea also seriously interested in him.”

Bryan Mbeumo may favour Tottenham over Man Utd

Bryan Mbeumo enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024-25 and he is poised to leave Brentford amid significant interest in his services.

“I’m told they [Man Utd] have offered a package of more than £60 million to Brentford for the 25-year-old forward,” Castles explained.

“Man Utd are trying to get ahead of the competition for Mbeumo, which is coming from Tottenham, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Brentford have accepted they will probably need to sell the player, but they want at least £70m.”

Castles added: “The indication from Manchester United was that Mbeumo had chosen to move there and verbally told them that his preference was to move there. I’m not hearing exactly the same as that.

“I think there is a good chance that Mbeumo, should Tottenham get to the price that Brentford are asking, might choose Tottenham ahead of Manchester United.

“There are a couple of obvious reasons for that. One is that it allows him to stay in London and secondly it allows him to carry on playing for Thomas Frank, who has joined Tottenham as the replacement for Ange Postecoglou.”