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(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Sat 2 August 2025 18:49, UK
Man United are interested in Benjamin Sesko but must act quickly after Newcastle bid for the Slovenian striker.
The number nine market has almost been picked clean this summer with so many teams looking to bolster their options up top.
Liverpool have signed Hugo Ekitike, Arsenal have secured Viktor Gyokeres’ services, Mateo Retegui has departed Atalanta for the Middle East, and Victor Osimhen has made a blockbuster return to Galatasaray.
Which leaves only Sesko and Alexander Isak as viable options for elite clubs or teams hoping to break into that upper echelon.
Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal this summer.
(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)
The Swedish striker is likely out of the financial reach of United, and he would be unlikely to want to make the move to Old Trafford, leaving RB Leipzig’s main man as the most viable option.
But the 20-time champions of England have been warned that Sesko may not be the man to fix their fortunes.
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Sesko has been the subject of €80m (£69.9m) offer from Newcastle [The Athletic], as they look to add to their striking options.
The Red Devils are lacking a consistent goal-getter, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund failing to produce last season, netting just seven Premier League goals between them.
And speaking on the Transfers Podcast, Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles revealed he had spoken to several sporting directors, with one in particular raising some major concerns over Sesko’s mentality.
He said (1 April, 14.20mins): “Asking a couple of sporting directors, one in particular who looked at signing Sesko when he was a teenager, met the player in person.
Benjamin Sesko’s stats last season.
(Credit: Imago)
“Asking him what he thought about Sesko as a fit for Manchester United, his view was that he does not have the mentality to be an elite striker.
“He’s super talented, he has lots of promise, but he has not delivered on that promise at Leipzig.
“His view, having spoken to the player, was that he doesn’t have the drive that the real elite forwards have, like Haaland does, and this is an individual who has spoken to Haaland before he moved on to top European clubs.
“His view is that if you do not have that at the top level of the game, you never reach the very top.”
Football Insider Verdict
Sesko’s links to Man United are eerily reminiscent of the saga that brought Hojlund to Old Trafford two summers ago.
The striker was Erik ten Hag’s main target of the summer, and although the club wanted to keep the fee below £60m, they eventually buckled to Atalanta’s asking price of £72m [BBC Sport].
United were desperate to sign a number nine after the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani the season prior, and found themselves pushed into a corner.
Rasmus Hojlund was linked with a return to Italy this summer.
(Credit: Imago)
This summer, as a consequence of their failings with Hojlund in 2023, and Zirkzee in 2024, United once again have their backs against the wall.
Sesko may turn out to be an elite striker, but he needs time to develop.
Last season’s drop in performance, when he scored one fewer goal than the season prior in nearly 900 more Bundesliga minutes, shows exactly that.
And unfortunately, United have never been great at showing patience for up-and-coming talents.
Fans will also be worried by the sporting director’s Sesko claim.
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