Latest Manchester United transfer news as the Reds chase a move for Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko as a “ridiculous” talent with an “incredible skillset” in a glowing endorsement earlier this year.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are advancing in a potential move for the RB Leipzig forward after making him their preferred No.9 option. He scored 21 goals in 45 appearances last season.
Ollie Watkins had been considered as another target, but Aston Villa remain insistent that the England international is not for sale. Indeed, United have shifted their focus to signing Sesko.
Sesko signed a five-year contract at Leipzig last summer and his new deal came with the understanding that if an elite club – by his definition – offered in the region of £69million to £78m, the Bundesliga side would allow him to leave. United have received encouragement that Sesko would be open to making the move to Old Trafford and have now made their move, after contacting Leipzig about a possible deal.
Since he signed for Leipzig in 2023, Sesko has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. He has 39 goals in 87 matches for the German outfit in that time, with Arsenal appearing as the frontrunners for his signature earlier this summer. However, the Gunners have since opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
While Newcastle United are expected to provide competition and are pushing hard to convince Sesko to pick them, Ruben Amorim’s side are hoping to lure him to Manchester instead.
And earlier this year, former Liverpool manager Klopp, now the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, was effusive in his praise of Sesko.
“I’ve actually known him for a while, I knew him already when he was at Salzburg. I think we played a friendly game here when he was very, very young,” recalled Klopp in January. “I was really impressed, I thought, ‘Where do they get all these players? Ridiculous.’
“I have no plans with him, just to make that clear. Don’t get it wrong, I will not show up in training and tell them what to do.
“Our plan, and I don’t have to ask Marco Rose what his plan is with him [Sesko], I know it… he wants to help him score as many goals as possible. He has space for improvement, space for development, incredible skillset, incredible potential, so I’m happy that we have him.”
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