Benjamin Sesko: The Premier League’s Next Big Target?
This summer, the striker market is heating up and Benjamin Sesko sits right at the center of it all. The 20-year-old Slovenian, who’s been lighting up the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, has caught the attention of two of England’s most ambitious sides: Manchester United and Newcastle United. With Leipzig setting their price tag at a sky-high €80-90 million, you know clubs are convinced he’s ready for the next level.
Newcastle aren’t messing around. They’ve reportedly matched Leipzig’s demands, thrown in hefty agent fees, and even put a five-year contract on the table for Sesko packed with big wages. If there was a prize for money-no-object, Newcastle would have it. But money isn’t everything, and this is where the saga gets interesting. Despite all the cash and promises, Sesko seems to have his sights set on Manchester United. They’ve started formal talks with Leipzig, even if they flinch a bit at the cost. Deep down, United figure that if Sesko’s deciding between the two, they’ll come out top.
The situation at Leipzig is a big part of this story. After missing out on European competition for next season, they need to sell to balance their books. Sesko is by far their hottest commodity right now, so the timing is perfect for a move. Over at Newcastle, part of their urgency comes from the whispers that Liverpool want to snap up their own star, Alexander Isak. If the Reds come knocking with serious money, Newcastle need a quick replacement—and fast-tracking Sesko is their Plan A.
The Ripple Effect: More Than Just One Transfer
For Manchester United, it’s not just about getting Sesko—it’s about figuring out who stays and who goes. Rasmus Højlund, their Danish striker brought in last summer, hasn’t quite settled. He’s shown flashes but not the consistency United hoped for, and that’s attracted interest from Italian giants Napoli and Juventus. If Sesko comes in, it could push Højlund further down the pecking order, or even out the door entirely.
United aren’t putting all their eggs in Sesko’s basket. Behind the scenes, they’re discussing alternatives. Ollie Watkins, who scored goals for fun at Aston Villa, is high on the list. Villa, though, aren’t likely to let him go for less than £60 million, which is still a big chunk of cash but notably cheaper than Sesko’s price tag.
So where does this leave things? Newcastle are going all in, but seem to be second choice in Sesko’s eyes. Manchester United want the deal done, but they’re wary about the expense. Leipzig are ready to cash in, especially without European revenue. Meanwhile, ripple effects could see strikers like Isak, Højlund, and Watkins swapping clubs before the window shuts.
The Premier League loves a good transfer saga, but this race for Benjamin Sesko packs in everything: big money, top clubs with big plans, and a striker with the world at his feet deciding where to take his next step.