Manchester United is intensifying its pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with reports suggesting a deal could be struck for less than his current valuation of £67.3 million (€77.7m, $91m) in August.
Sesko Priced for Potential August Swoop
Benjamin Sesko is the one to watch, for me, simply because the price for Sesko may drop as we get into late July and early August.
After securing deals for Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, Enzo Kana-Biyik, and Harley Emsden-James this summer, the focus for Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has firmly shifted to acquiring a top-tier No. 9. Last season’s struggles to consistently find the back of the net highlighted the need for a prolific striker to secure a top-four Premier League finish.
The club had previously shown interest in Liam Delap, who has since joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town, and Viktor Gyokeres, who is reportedly on his way to Arsenal from Sporting CP. However, sources now indicate that Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is the primary target.
As reported on July 18, Manchester United has been in contact with Sesko’s agents. The 22-year-old Slovenian international is recognized as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers. He earned high praise from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in January 2025 for his “incredible skillset” and “incredible potential.”
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported that the Red Devils might be able to secure Sesko for a reduced fee next month. Jacobs noted that director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously served as technical director at Leipzig, could leverage his knowledge of the player and the club to facilitate the transfer. “At the right price, that’s a deal Manchester United would like to do,” Jacobs stated, though he cautioned that Arsenal encountered difficulties in negotiating Sesko’s release clause, which exceeds €80 million (£69.2m, $93.8m), suggesting patience might be necessary for any potential deal to materialize.
- Manchester United is actively pursuing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
- A potential August transfer could see Sesko acquired for less than his current £67.3 million valuation.
- Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell has prior experience with Sesko from his time at RB Leipzig.
- Alternative targets include Nicolas Jackson, Ollie Watkins, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The club is also exploring other options to avoid over-reliance on a single target. Viable alternatives include Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea, Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, and Al-Hilal striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to Jacobs. Manchester United has reportedly shown no interest in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, despite his availability as a free agent.
There is also speculation about a potential swap deal between Manchester United and Chelsea involving Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho. However, Jacobs indicated that Manchester United currently has no plans to bid for Jackson due to Chelsea’s high asking price. He also mentioned Ollie Watkins as a player to watch, and Aleksandar Mitrovic as a late-window opportunity should Al Hilal sign another striker, potentially on a loan with wage contributions.
Sesko’s stats since breaking into the Salzburg first team (after his solitary debut appearance in the 2020/21 season without scoring)
