Manchester United faces an urgent imperative to bolster their attacking firepower following a season where goal-scoring proved to be a persistent challenge for the team.
Despite the arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, who collectively contributed significantly more goals than United’s entire squad last season, the need for a truly reliable centre-forward remains critical, given Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s modest returns.
Among the top targets, Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig has emerged as the prime candidate, having impressed profoundly during his debut campaign with 18 goals across all competitions and a strong showing at Euro 2024 for Slovenia.
His impressive form led to a new contract with Leipzig, featuring an £85 million release clause, a valuation that has not deterred interest from other European giants like Arsenal and Chelsea, highlighting the competition United faces.
A pivotal figure in United’s pursuit is Christopher Vivell, whose internal discussions and detailed analysis were instrumental in identifying Sesko as the club’s primary striker target, even before initial contact was made with the player’s representatives.
While Ollie Watkins was also on United’s radar, Vivell’s comprehensive assessment convinced the club that Sesko possessed the specific attributes and tactical suitability required for the vision of manager Ruben Amorim, particularly as he pushed for a new number nine.
Reports indicate that talks between Manchester United and Sesko’s entourage have progressed exceptionally well, largely attributed to Vivell’s strategic presence and the mutual belief that Amorim’s playing style would perfectly complement the Slovenian international’s talents.
The club is meticulously planning its financial strategy, anticipating that potential player departures, including Rasmus Hojlund, could create sufficient financial headroom to facilitate another high-profile acquisition like Sesko without unduly straining the budget.
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