MANCHESTER UNITED have launched an all-out bid to land Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
Slovenian ace Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins formed the two man shortlist as United sought to give Ruben Amorim the firepower he craves.
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But with Villa insistent that no deal for their England front man will be considered, United switched their sights and are now aiming to blow Newcastle out of the water to land the £70m-plus Sesko.
United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and negotiator Matt Hargreaves flew out to Germany in a bid to get the deal over the line, although the Old Trafford club will try to negotiate Leipzig’s asking price down.
Vivell was previously with the Red Bull group that owns Leipzig and Sesko’s previous club Salzburg for seven years and knows the 6ft 5in striker, 22, well.
In a recent interview in Germany, Vivell said: “Benjamin Sesko is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player. He has all the qualities to do that.
“He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”
Sun Sport understands that Sesko, who was also on Arsenal’s shortlist over the summer, would prefer to move to Old Trafford rather than Tyneside.
That is despite the fact that Newcastle offer the prospect of Champions League football, while United have no European football at all this season.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is also thought to be growing apprehensive about his prospects of landing Sesko, who has scored 39 goals over his two seasons in the Bundesliga, now that United are making their move.
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But Leipzig are unlikely to roll over and hand Sesko to United on a plate.
They are sticking to their £70m valuation and dismissed all attempts by Arsenal to bargain them down, leading to the Gunners eventually landing Viktor Gyokeres for £63million instead.
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Sesko signed from RB Salzburg in 2023 and has gone on to play 87 games for them, including in the Champions League.
Man United have already invested in new attacking players, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined £133.5million.
Newcastle are looking for potential replacements for striker Alexander Isak, who is understood to have told the Newcastle hierarchy that he wants to leave this summer.
Isak is currently absent from the club’s pre-season tour, with the Magpies stating that he has a “minor thigh injury”.
Asked about Isak’s links to Premier League champions Liverpool, his teammate Bruno Guimaraes said: “He is a top striker, his [record over the] last three seasons speaks by itself, he’s a top player.
“But as far as I know he just stayed there because of his injury, his treatment with the club.”
Last week, SunSport exclusively reported Isak had been offered a £32million-a-year deal from Saudi Arabia.
However, his heart is set on Liverpool.
Earlier this month, Newcastle knocked back the Reds’ initial approach over a potential British-record £120million move.
SunSport understands he could now submit a transfer request to push for a switch to the Premier League champions.
Would Sesko be good for Man Utd?
Playing for one of the smaller sides during the European Championships for Slovakia last summer, Benjamin Sesko was the name on everyone’s lips as he impressed with his power and pace.
He was heavily linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs at the time.
And in January, he was tipped to move to Arsenal, but made the choice to at see out the season in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, where he scored 13 goals in 33 league games.
That does not mean he will not be open to a move this summer.
Sesko, like previous names mentioned, is tall, powerful, quick and at his best when he is given space to run into and to attack as his team moves the ball forward.
His biggest strength, however, comes in his incredible ball striking, with the ability to shoot with power from distance.
Sesko is another player who thrives when he is able to play and attack in moments of transition.
As a top level striker, he still needs to add some real consistency to his game in front of goal.
And there is a worry that he may be too one-dimensional in the final third, needing space to deliver goals, to really fit the way United will play.