AC Milan have submitted an offer to take Rasmus Højlund on loan for the 2025/26 season; their full package has now been revealed, with Benjamin Sesko edging close to an official announcement.
No Champions League or Europa League football next season was always going to cause a problem for Manchester United, as the squad has the numbers of a team competing in every competition, even if it doesn’t have the required quality.
Some players would have to accept that they either won’t play as much as they want to, or that they should seek a move away from Old Trafford so they can continue to play regularly. This issue extends across the entire squad, but is most notable in attack, especially as Rúben Amorim is set to add Benjamin Šeško to his first-team squad.
United’s new signing will likely demand a starting spot, due to his high transfer fee, but he will still have to fight for his place, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee waiting in the wings to take his place.
The two centre forwards played made just under 100 appearances for United last season, but the Red Devils would be lucky to even play 50 matches, with just the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup to fight for.
Therefore, one of United’s strikers may look to leave the club before the end of the summer transfer window, either on a permanent deal or just on a season-long loan. Chido Obi will also be hungry for more minutes after making eight appearances, but failing to score for the senior side, despite impressing in his rare opportunities.
AC Milan’s Højlund offer revealed
Højlund could be set for a season away from Amorim’s squad next season, with Sesko destined to start ahead of him when his transfer is officially confirmed. Zirkzee could also be chosen ahead of the Danish centre forward, after impressing towards the end of last season, before he suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle.
AC Milan appears to be the club most interested in signing Hojlund for the 2025/26 season, potentially because they were linked to the striker before his move to Old Trafford from Atalanta, as one of Erik ten Hag’s marquee signings.
Luca Bianchin, a reporter for Gazzetta dello Sport, has revealed that AC Milan’s official offer for Højlund is valued at just under £3.5 million as the initial loan fee for the 2025/26 season. Also included in the deal is a £34 million buy option if the Italian club want to keep Hojlund at the club for the following season.
However, Bianchin also notes that “Højlund is not yet convinced and would prefer to fight for his place in Manchester.”
Next week will be decisive, and Amorim could be forced into an uncomfortable conversation with Højlund, in which he details his plans to play Šeško ahead of him and explains that a loan deal could be better for his development.
Sesko announcement date confirmed
United have all but confirmed that Šeško will join the club, but the official confirmation date appears to be confirmed, according to Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel.
“Sesko is undergoing medical tests, ready to sign his contract as a new Manchester United player,” said the transfer expert. “The official unveiling will be tomorrow, on Saturday, at Old Trafford.”
The Slovenian centre forward could be brought out onto the pitch before United play their final pre-season match against David de Gea’s Fiorentina side. De Gea is also expected to receive a special reception from the fans, with the club preparing a final farewell for the Spanish goalkeeper.
While Sesko may not feature against the Italian side, he will have a full week of training before the Premier League season begins, potentially putting him in line to start against Arsenal, where Amorim will face his former star Viktor Gyökeres.
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