Manchester United's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko may face an uphill battle given the striker's previous remarks about turning down the club. The RB Leipzig forward, now valued at around £60m, snubbed United in 2023 due to concerns over their style of play, a factor that could still influence his decision.
Sesko previously explained that joining Leipzig was the right choice because they play a similar style to his former club Red Bull Salzburg. 'It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football,' he said in 2024. This preference suggests he may not be swayed by United's current approach under manager Erik ten Hag.
United have struggled to sign a top striker this summer, missing out on Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Osimhen, and Ollie Watkins. With Marcus Rashford sold to Barcelona and Rasmus Hojlund linked with an exit, the need for a forward is urgent. Hojlund, signed for £72m two years ago after losing out to Sesko, has underperformed, while Sesko has flourished with 18 and 21 goals in his two Bundesliga seasons.
RB Leipzig have lowered their asking price for Sesko to £60m, according to BILD, and are open to negotiations. However, the Slovenian is not pushing for a move and has a contract until 2029. United's head of scouting, Christopher Vivell, is a known admirer and has watched him in action, but the club's past failure to sign him for just £2.5m in 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recommended him, highlights a missed opportunity.
Signing Sesko would complete United's revamped attack alongside new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but his earlier comments raise doubts. Whether he has changed his mind remains to be seen, but United will need to convince him that Old Trafford now suits his game.
