The football transfer window is abuzz with speculation surrounding Benjamin Sesko, the promising RB Leipzig striker, who appears poised for a move this month, drawing significant interest from top English clubs including Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Interestingly, Sesko was once considered a prime target for Arsenal, a club that ultimately opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres instead, following an extensive evaluation process that highlighted certain “alarm bells” regarding the young Slovenian forward.

Arsenal’s decision stemmed from comprehensive background work on Sesko’s progress at RB Leipzig, amassed over a year, which revealed key concerns. Among these were the substantial transfer fee demanded by Leipzig and the personal terms requested by the player’s representatives, which were deemed excessive.

A critical factor in Arsenal’s cautious approach was the perceived mental fortitude required to lead the attack for a club of their stature. Despite Sesko’s impressive scoring record of 21 goals across all competitions last season, having only two seasons in a European top-five league raised questions about his ability to handle the immense pressure and scrutiny inherent in such a high-profile role.

In contrast, Viktor Gyokeres, while not yet established in a premier European domestic league, possessed a remarkable record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP. This, combined with Arsenal’s confidence in his character and resilience, led them to greenlight his transfer, seeing him as the more reliable option to spearhead their offensive efforts.

Sesko’s immediate future remains uncertain, with reports indicating he has yet to finalize his next destination. Newcastle United’s recent bid was reportedly rejected, especially after they turned down Liverpool’s significant £110 million offer for Alexander Isak, highlighting the complex web of interconnected transfer dealings.

However, Arsenal’s initial reservations about Sesko could serve as a cautionary tale for Manchester United, a club well-acquainted with the challenges of investing heavily in young strikers who subsequently struggle to justify their hefty price tags.

The potential arrival of Sesko at Old Trafford could significantly impact Rasmus Hojlund’s tenure, with manager Erik ten Hag reportedly unsure about the Danish striker’s future at the club beyond this month’s transfer deadline.

Manchester United’s £72 million investment in Hojlund has seen a considerable depreciation in his market value due to a low scoring rate, leading the club to reportedly consider offers as low as £30 million, underscoring the high-stakes nature of striker acquisitions in modern football.