Manchester United reportedly have a secret weapon on the cards as Arsenal close in on the signing of Benjamin Šeško this summer.
Manchester United are on the hunt for new strikers this summer following a disappointing 2024/25 season in which they finished 15th in the Premier League and fell short in the Europa League final.
Despite their history of attacking dominance, United struggled for goals, with Bruno Fernandes leading the way on 19, and both Amad and Alejandro Garnacho netting 11. No player managed to hit the 20-goal milestone.
In response, the club are turning to the transfer market, with Matheus Cunha set to join from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5 million, pending the completion of his medical.
Rúben Amorim’s side are also tracking several attacking targets, though restricted finances and the absence of Champions League football could complicate their recruitment efforts.
United’s secret Šeško weapon
After missing out on Liam Delap, United are having to turn to other options to fill the centre-forward void this summer, and have been closely linked with Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyökeres of late.
According to Bundesliga transfer expert Christian Falk, although Arsenal are the front-runners for RB Leipzig’s frontman Benjamin Šeško, United have a secret weapon up their sleeve in their director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell.
“Arsenal have ceased their recruitment drive and have declared Benjamin Šeško or Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon) as their favourite targets,” Falk told CaughtOffside. “RB Leipzig are willing to talk for upwards of €70 million (£59 million), and ideally, Sesko should fetch up to €100 million (£84.3 million).”
“Despite his young age, the Slovenian is almost complete, has a clear head and is a real team player. He would be an asset to any club. There are already talks with Arsenal.
“From the Premier League, beside Arsenal, also Manchester United are particularly interested. Christopher Vivell (United’s director of recruitment) was there to watch Sesko at the game in Wolfsburg in mid-April. He once helped discover him and brought the footballer to Salzburg as a 16-year-old in 2019.”
Šeško is too far from United’s current budget
Although Šeško is undoubtedly a fantastic player and will have a great career regardless of where he sends up, his current price tag is far too high for United to match.
Read More: Fabrizio Romano reveals two reasons why Man Utd have delayed their Matheus Cunha announcement
According to Sky Germany correspondent Florian Plettenberg, Arenal have now engaged in concrete discussions with Leipzig to secure the 22-year-old, whose release clause sits at £68 million.
United are currently focused on sales and the acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford amid a battle with Newcastle to sign the Cameroon star, and are also assessing their current striker situation after losing out on Liam Delap.
Should United secure Mbeumo alongside Cunha, there is an argument to be had that this would greatly improve Joshua Zirkzee up front, which may negate the need for United to spend significant funds on a new striker and could instead sign one to compete with the Netherlands international.
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