Manchester United are exploring a range of options to secure a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko – including a blockbuster player swap which would send the Red Devils fanbase into a frenzy, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
The First-Choice Target
United have been on the hunt for a new number nine since the transfer window opened in June after Ruben Amorim identified the misfiring forward line as a key priority this summer.
The club had identified Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as their first-choice target due to the England U-21 international’s £30 million release clause at Portman Road. But Delap rejected United’s advances in favour of a switch to Chelsea.
Approaches were made for Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike, despite either option costing far in excess of £30 million. But both forwards followed the same path as Delap in joining domestic rivals with Gyokeres signing for Arsenal and Ekitike moving to Liverpool.
This led United’s list of targets to narrow down to two remaining options: Sesko and Aston Villa frontman, Ollie Watkins.
Watkins offers Premier League pedigree and a proven track record of goals. But, at 29 years of age, the England international does not fit the recruitment model INEOS have sought to implement since assuming the helm at Old Trafford last year.
Villa were also adamant they would part with their attacking talisman and the price mooted – believed to be around £60 million – were considered unworkable for a player who turns 30 in December.
This has led to United turning full attention to Sesko, the 22-year-old striker for Leipzig who is considered the standout prospect as a centre-forward in Europe.
However, despite the Slovenia international’s impressive skillset and physical profile, standing 6’5 while possessing incredible pace, he remains raw relative to his potential price, worth in excess of £70 million due to a gentleman’s agreement with Leipzig.
But United are banking on Sesko being a diamond in the rough – and that Amorim will be able to apply the polishing touches to convert him into the crown jewel of the Portuguese coach’s revamped attack, alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
A Potential Swap Deal?
Arsenal made advances to sign Sesko earlier this summer but were deterred by Leipzig’s asking price – worth in excess of £85 million – without seemingly any willingness to compromise. This led the Gunners to reassess and successfully pursue Gyokeres, a former pupil of Amorim with Sporting, instead.
But United, who are joined by Newcastle in the race for Sesko, are believed to hold hopes the striker may be available for a reduce fee, according to talkSPORT: “Both Newcastle and Manchester United believe a transfer could be possible for closer to €70m (£60.5m).”
However, Romano reveals United are also exploring alternative options to seal a deal with Leipzig, including the possibility of a swap deal – but they face an uphill battle to do so.
“Manchester United are working on [Sesko]- they spoke to RB Leipzig two days ago. Christopher Vivell is working on this story [and] the opportunity to include some players [in a swap deal]. For example, one of the names [who] is a dream target for RB Leipzig could be Rasmus Hojlund,” the Italian transfer expert explains.
If United were able to sign Sesko at a reduced fee while simultaneously shifting the underperforming Hojlund in the opposite direction, it would constitute one of the best pieces of business at Old Trafford in recent memory.
However, Romano states Hojlund is not currently considering an exit as he would “love to stay at Manchester United, the player is not entertaining any negotiations with other clubs at this stage, so the situation is quiet.”
But arrival of Sesko would firmly relegate Hojlund to the bench, maybe even the stands depending on the form of Joshua Zirkzee or Chido Obi. And with the World Cup on the horizon next summer, every player with international aspirations needs to prioritise first-team minutes next season to be ensure a plane ticket to America.
The Bundesliga would offer Hojlund an easier league to rebuild his reputation and provide a reset to a promising career after the painful nadir of last season. It’s a move which makes sense for all parties – the Dane just needs to recognise his benefit from it.
Featured image Maja Hitij via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
