Manchester United Ramps Up Effort for Benjamin Sesko Transfer
The chase for Benjamin Sesko has reached boiling point, with Manchester United making a decisive push to secure the RB Leipzig striker ahead of their Premier League rivals Newcastle United. The 22-year-old Slovenian goal machine has become the centerpiece of United’s summer recruitment plan, and sources say Old Trafford is now his preferred destination. There’s real momentum building—even as the two clubs haggle over the eye-watering price tag set by Leipzig, which hovers between €80 and €90 million.
United’s pursuit isn’t happening in a vacuum. They're facing the reality of a stretched transfer budget, which means negotiating a compromise is key. Club insiders are optimistic, suggesting that a breakthrough is possible, especially as Sesko himself has cast aside lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia in favor of staying in European football’s spotlight. That loyalty to Europe has only fueled United's belief they could be just days away from landing their next star striker.
Why Sesko’s Decision Matters for United and the Transfer Market
Sesko’s stats are hard to ignore—39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig, with 27 of those coming in the Bundesliga. He isn’t just a clinical finisher; scouts rave about his movement off the ball and his knack for unsettling defenders. This is the exact profile Manchester United needs as they look to build a squad for the present and future. The problem? Other big names are swirling around this situation. Newcastle United, hoping to boost their attacking firepower, have let their interest be known but so far seem to be one step behind.
But the real intrigue comes from how Sesko’s arrival could reshape United's own locker room. Whisper it quietly, but Rasmus Højlund, who was paraded as a marquee signing just a season ago, might face an uncertain future. Italian giants Napoli and Juventus are sniffing around the Danish forward, ready to pounce if his game time dries up with a superstar signing.
Meanwhile, United has hedged its bets by asking about other options. Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa made their shortlist, but with Villa insisting the 29-year-old is off the market this summer, alternatives are thinning out. Club insiders say this has added urgency to the Sesko chase. If United wants a young, hungry striker at the heart of their attack, now’s the moment to strike.
Behind the scenes, United's pursuit has extra firepower thanks to Christopher Vivell. The club’s director of football once worked within the Red Bull football network—the same organization that developed Sesko into one of Europe’s hottest prospects. Vivell's inside knowledge of how Sesko ticks and what motivates him has been key as talks have heated up in recent days.
With no agreement sealed yet, the coming weeks look set to define not only Manchester United’s attack for years to come but also the wider transfer market. Will they bet the house on a rising star or divert resources to someone proven in the Premier League? At this moment, Old Trafford is holding its breath, hoping for a summer deal to remember.
