Benjamin Sesko has appeared to pass Ruben Amorim’s test with his latest move as a potential transfer to Manchester United this summer remains open.
Following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are now focused on reinforcing the no.9 position this summer.
Ruben Amorim’s options to improve the attack have narrowed, with former targets Liam Delap and Viktor Gyökeres joining Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively, both of whom were high on United’s shortlist.
Reports have suggested that a deal for new target Benjamin Sesko may be out of reach financially, with RB Leipzig demanding a hefty fee for the striker.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, the club remain in the race for the Slovenian forward, who is also attracting interest from Newcastle.
Sesko prefers United move over Newcastle
Newcastle are perhaps more desperate for a new no.9 than United after news emerged that Alexander Isak wants to leave their club this summer.
Their number one target in Sesko but the latest reports coming out of Germany suggest that the 22-year-old would rather make the move to Old Trafford.
According to Leipzig-based journalist Guido Schäfer, Sesko’s preference between these two clubs is United, which is a boost to those at the club.
Sesko is a player the Reds have monitored for several years and the club’s new director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, worked with him at the Red Bull clubs.
The 22-year-old has scored 39 goals since his move to Leipzig two years ago and has totalled 90 goals in his senior career so far.
Sesko passes Amorim test
While there remain question marks over a potential fee, Sesko appears to be a realistic option for United this summer and he would not be the first player to reject the Geordies for Manchester.
Mbeumo opted against playing in the Champions League with Newcastle or Tottenham as he wants to help rebuild United under the new project. Sesko seems to have the same stance.
This is something that Amorim will love. The United boss explained earlier this week that it is key for new signings to want to be at the club.
“What we can [say] to the fans is that we want players that they proved [themselves] already,” Amorim said on Friday when asked about United’s transfer plans for the rest of the summer window.
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“Sometimes you have a player with a lot of potential, you have to be aware of that. But all the players that are coming, we need to know the player. We need to talk to the player. We need to explain the project. And then one really important thing is they want to come here. That is the key point.
“So, if during the market we can find someone that can help the team and have all that boxes with them, we are going to do it. If not, we cannot do it because it’s an important time in our club. So they need to want to come here.”
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