Man United might have an ace up their sleeve in their attempts to sign a striker before the end of the summer transfer window.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Manchester United are still being linked with Benjamin Sesko.(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
After missing out on Liam Delap, Manchester United have been chasing shadows in their pursuit of a striker this summer.
Delap was identified as United’s top striker target ahead of the summer transfer window. Following Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship, Delap was available via a £30million release clause. Unfortunately for United, Chelsea won the race for his signature, signing him in time for the start of the Club World Cup.
Although Delap did well for Ipswich last season, scoring 12 goals, signing him to spearhead United’s attack after just one season as a Premier League regular would have been a huge risk, meaning it is somewhat bold to suggest missing out on him was a ‘blow’.
Nevertheless, missing out on him has delayed their striker search. The additions of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have bolstered their attack, but they are still missing the main piece of the jigsaw.
Links connecting United with Viktor Gyokeres, who has now joined Arsenal, have been and gone, while reports linking them with Victor Osimhen have persisted for as long as one can remember. Exactly where United’s striker search will end remains to be seen.
However, according to widespread reports, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has made his way back onto United’s radar. Former football director John Murtough met Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, to gauge the possibility of a transfer in 2022.
According to Sky Germany, United, alongside Premier League counterparts Newcastle United, have entered discussions with Sesko’s representatives.
With Delap, Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike, who was also on United’s radar earlier this summer, having all been snapped up already this summer, United’s options are dwindling.
Benjamin Sesko has been on Manchester United’s radar before.(Image: Ronny Hartmann/AFP via Getty Images.)
United acknowledge they need to recruit a high-end striker to beef up Ruben Amorim’s attack, and Sesko is arguably one of the very few left on the market that could be attainable.
It goes without saying Leipzig will want a hefty-sized fee for the 22-year-old, who has four years left on his deal at the Red Bull Arena. He joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and signed a contract extension in June last year.
Two seasons into his career in Germany, the Slovenian has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances in Leipzig colours. He scored 21 times last term.
Sesko is by no means the finished article; he is still fairly young and finding his feet. In all honesty, United should be targeting someone more established and with a proven record in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, Sesko is an option United are reportedly running the rule over once again. And when you remember who is leading their recruitment this summer, it should come as no surprise.
Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who joined United last year, has been empowered to oversee the club’s recruitment network and is a key part of the football structure at Old Trafford. Prior to joining the Reds, Vivell had stints at Chelsea and Leipzig.
Christopher Vivell is overseeing recruitment matters at Old Trafford.(Image: Ronny Hartmann/AFP via Getty Images.)
After joining the Bundesliga club in August 2020, he became their technical director, meaning he was responsible for recruitment and scouting across all age groups. He had previously spent five years at Salzburg, so is well-versed in the Red Bull model.
Having swapped Salzburg for Leipzig, Sesko followed in his footsteps in 2023, swapping Austria for Germany. Leipzig agreed a deal to sign him in 2022, but the deal did not come into effect until the following year.
Vivell was responsible for Leipzig’s recruitment at the point of signing Sesko, meaning he knows all about the striker. He will be advising United and giving them insight on what he could potentially bring to Old Trafford.
Sales, of course, remain key to United’s chances of being able to land a big-name striker, and Sesko will command a big fee, but Vivell could make all the difference if a transfer tug-of-war unfolds.