Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Benjamin Sesko before eventually signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, with the RB Leipzig ace now a top target for Manchester United
Benjamin Sesko has yet to decide his future, with Manchester United interested in signing the striker(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal chose against pursuing Benjamin Sesko in favour of securing Viktor Gyokeres after considering the RB Leipzig forward too much of a gamble.
Mikel Arteta’s team eventually confirmed the Swedish striker’s arrival last month following one of the summer’s most protracted transfer sagas. The Gunners had narrowed their striker hunt down to Gyokeres and Sesko, but ultimately plumped for the 27-year-old, leaving Sesko embroiled in a tug-of-war between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
The Slovenian international had previously appeared destined for north London given the club’s extensive 12-month scouting operation monitoring his development at RB Leipzig, according to ESPN.
Following initial discussions with the German side, Arsenal executives quickly discovered that any move for the talented striker would prove too costly for a player still developing his game, reports the Mirror.
The report highlighted three primary concerns that triggered “alarm bells” over a potential Sesko deal, including Leipzig’s hefty asking price alongside his wage demands.
With just two campaigns under his belt in Europe’s elite leagues – netting 21 goals in all competitions during the previous term – sources revealed the club harboured doubts about Sesko’s psychological readiness to spearhead Arsenal’s frontline and cope with the accompanying pressure.
The future of Rasmus Hojlund remains uncertain(Image: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Despite Gyokeres not yet making his mark in one of Europe’s top domestic leagues, his impressive record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP and Arsenal’s faith in his character led them to secure a deal for the striker.
Sesko is reportedly still weighing up his options, with Newcastle having their bid of just under £70m turned down after they rejected Liverpool’s £110m offer for Alexander Isak. Despite United not yet making a formal offer for the 22-year-old, they remain keenly interested in enhancing their attack with his signature.
However, Arsenal’s decision to withdraw from a deal could raise eyebrows at United, who are all too familiar with the pitfalls of investing heavily in young strikers who fail to live up to their hefty price tags.
The potential signing of Sesko might signal the end of Rasmus Hojlund’s time at Old Trafford, as Ruben Amorim confessed he is uncertain whether the Dane – who has expressed his desire to fight for his place – will still be a United player by month’s end.
Ruben Amorim did not confirm whether Hojlund would be a Manchester United player by the end of the summer transfer window
United shelled out £72m on the 22-year-old in 2023 and, according to The Athletic, acknowledge internally that they might now have to accept lower than his book value, which stands at a little under £45m.
Following the striker’s goal in United’s 4-1 pre-season victory over Bournemouth, the Red Devils manager commented: “I’m really happy with Rasmus, but I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the market.
“The important thing is that the strikers who are here are working really well, they are improving, they are helping the team and that’s the most important thing. The important thing is that Rasmus is scoring goals.
The 22-year-old scored 21 goals across all competitions for RB Leipzig last season(Image: Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“He’s connecting really well with the team. He’s improving. Again, I don’t know what is going to happen until the market is closed. We suffered a a lot because of the lack of goals last season. But I think not just the goals, but the way Rasmus connects the play.
“Every time we have to kick the ball, we are kicking the ball when we are more pressed. The ability for him to hold the defender and to connect in the support is helping us to play a lot better and we are playing better because he’s playing better.”
The arrival of Sesko would certainly come with the expectation that he provides consistent goals, especially after the dire season they had in front of goal. United netted just 44 league goals this past campaign, with only four teams scoring fewer, including all three of the relegated sides.
Amorim has taken note of their troubles in front of goal, given the summer signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 35 combined league goals last season.