Manchester United’s goal of signing RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko has received a welcome boost as the player has stated he wants to move to the Premier League.
The Red Devils have been tracking the prodigious striker for some time. They made a big play for him in the summer 2023 window when he was at Salzburg, but ultimately the player chose to stay closer to home to continue his development and signed for RB Leipzig in a £20 million deal. United reportedly tried again to sign him last summer, but he chose to remain in Germany and Ineos turned to Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund, paying €73 million (£61m) for a player three months older than the Slovenian.
Since then, Sesko has hardly set the world on fire this season, but 17 goals in 37 games is a decent haul and certainly better than Hojlund’s haul of 8 in 39, albeit in an easier league. This, however, has not diminished United’s ongoing interest, with a striker the top priority for their summer window.
The 21-year-old has a contract until 2029 at the German club, but there is a gentleman’s agreement with RB that he can leave if any offer in excess of €70 million (£58m) is received.
This attainable figure has attracted the interest of a host of clubs, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and AC Milan.
A tough playing field indeed. However, according to a new report from Bild, United’s chances of signing the 6ft 5in talent have taken a welcome boost as his preferred destination for his next move has been revealed.
“The 35-time international feels ready for the next step,” the outlet reports.
“The chances of him staying in Leipzig are very slim — with a move to the much stronger Premier League favoured.”
Moreover, in regard to Bayern’s interest, “learning alongside Kane as a substitute is out of the question for Sesko. If he does move, he wants the greatest possible guarantee of playing time to continue his development.”
In terms of that guarantee of playing time, it is debatable whether United have a stronger hand than any of the other three Premier League clubs chasing Sesko, although they may have a slight advantage in that regard. And at least two of those three will also be able to offer him Champions League football.
However, should Ruben Amorim’s men finish the season strongly and win the Europa League to gain UCL qualification, they would then have an excellent chance of finally getting their man.
Featured image Luciano Lima via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
