Football
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has emerged as Man Utd’s top target with club holding initial talks over conditions of a deal; Newcastle also interested but Sesko thought to prefer Man Utd move; it is thought Leipzig want in excess of £70m for the Slovenia international
Wednesday 30 July 2025 17:18, UK
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is emerging as a top target for Manchester United in this transfer window – if they bring in a striker.
One source has told Sky Sports News that Man Utd have held initial talks with the Bundesliga side and the player’s representatives over the conditions of a deal.
Newcastle United are also interested in the 22-year-old, but it is thought that, as it stands, Man Utd is Sesko’s preferred destination.
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The interest in Sesko is being driven by Man Utd recruitment director Christopher Vivell, who is widely credited for scouting Sesko for Red Bull Salzburg when he was 16.
Man Utd’s interest in Sesko is long-standing – they have been keeping an eye on his development for a number of years.
While the focus is clearly on player sales, United have done due diligence on a number of strikers in this window.
Talks have been held with Aston Villa over Ollie Watkins, while there was also a tentative interest in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
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However, the prices and structure for those players have been deemed too high at this stage.
While Sesko would cost more than Watkins overall, it is thought that a more favourable structure could be struck with Leipzig. It is thought Leipzig want in excess of £70m for Sesko.
The Slovenia international had been a target for Arsenal before they decided to seal a £63.5m deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
Sky Sports News understands Sesko’s camp turned down a proposal from a Saudi Pro League club last week.
Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig since joining from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago, but what qualities would he bring to Old Trafford? And could he really be the next Erling Haaland?
His scoring record is modest by comparison but Sesko is a rare breed of striker with a similar physical profile to Haaland. At 6ft 4in, he is exactly the same height and similarly quick.
His stature allows him to play the role of a targetman, holding the ball up, bringing team-mates into play and providing an outlet for long passes, crosses and set-piece deliveries.
Like Haaland, he combines those qualities with explosive pace.
Last season in the Bundesliga, Sesko’s top speed of 35.69 km/h put him 26th among 492 players to feature in the competition. He ranked even higher in the previous campaign, at 15th.
By targeting Sesko, Manchester United are continuing a theme of trying to add pace to their attack this summer having already signed Bryan Mbeumo, who recorded a top speed of 36.63 km/h last term, making him the fourth-fastest player in the Premier League.
Read more of Nick Wright’s analysis of Sesko here.
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