Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko has received a significant lift, with the striker reportedly ‘impressed’ by the Red Devils. After a dismal last season, Ruben Amorim’s team is eager to bolster their attacking line-up this summer.
The club has been associated with several strikers, including Viktor Gyokeres, who has since sealed a deal with Arsenal, one of United’s big Premier League rivals. Sesko has now become an alternative target, having made an impression at RB Leipzig in recent years.
Newcastle have shown interest too, viewing Sesko as a possible successor to Alexander Isak, amidst rumours of his departure to Liverpool. However, United have taken the lead in the chase for the Slovenian’s signature, buoyed by the player’s own reaction to a potential transfer.
Sky in Germany reports that United officials have already reached out to Sesko, presenting their vision and discussing financial terms with his agents, setting the stage for possible negotiations with Leipzig.
United have reason to be optimistic, as Sesko seems taken with what the club has proposed. Yet, securing his services will require further effort, with Leipzig holding out for a fee of about £64m for their prized forward, reports the Mirror.
In the meantime, manager Amorim has made clear his criteria for new recruits. He stated: “They have to want to come here. I think what we can do to the fans is that we want players who have proved [themselves] already.
“Sometimes you have a player with a lot of potential, you have to be aware of that, but all the players that are coming, we need to know the player. We need to talk to the player, we have to explain the project.
“And then one really important thing is that they want to come here. That is the key point. If during the market we can find someone that can help the team and have all that boxes with them, we are going to do it. If not, we cannot do it because it’s an important time in our club.”
Sesko, who has netted 39 goals for Leipzig over the past two seasons, has already hinted at what could sway his decision – the style of play at a prospective new club.
Speaking after his move to Leipzig, he said: “The thing is, I wasn’t really involved in these kinds of conversations, but I think it was better to come here.
“It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football. I already knew what I had to do and didn’t have to go through a whole learning process again.”
He reiterated this viewpoint after signing a new contract with the German side last summer, stating: “Leipzig has given me a lot and continues to give me a lot every day. It’s a great club to develop at. In the future, I want to play for a club that suits me, that brings out the best in me. That’s the most important thing for me.”
