-
Breaking
- 1 hours ago
Man Utd have learned NOTHING! €85m Sesko could be Hojlund 2.0
Tom Weber
- Updated: 6 Aug 2025 17:18 BST
- 5 min read
Analysis
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but this deal is a massive gamble.
Talks between the Red Devils and their German counterparts have entered the final stages, with Man Utd reportedly having raised the guaranteed portion of their offer to €80 million.
Discussions continue over the structure of potential add-ons, with Sesko expected to eventually command a total package of around €85m or €90m. Leipzig have already accepted a bid from Newcastle, but the Slovenia international has his heart set on joining Man Utd.
Current ETV
Benjamin Sesko
F (C)
RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko
F (C)
RB Leipzig
ETV Range
€62.7M - €76.6M
The allure of Man Utd, despite no European football and a decade-long 'banter era,' remains latent, and an elite athlete like Sesko will have the self-belief that he can be the man to turn the Red Devils around.
But can he? This is where things get a little dicey. In terms of raw potential, Sesko can easily become the best centre-forward in the world - emphasis on 'can become.' The 22-year-old is a monster, a physical specimen, but he is far from the finished product.
Sesko is a major gamble
On the face of it, Sesko has it all: he is 6ft 5in, excellent on the ball and rapid despite his size. However, for a striker who has been scoring regularly, the Slovenian is, paradoxically, not a great finisher.
Composure is a foreign concept to Sesko, who often elects to just whack the ball and hope for the best instead of actually picking his spot. The power he can generate by putting his laces through the ball is quite striking, but it is of little use in 1v1 situations.
When it comes to squaring up with the goalkeeper, Sesko often makes the wrong choice. In fact, his overall decision-making still leaves a lot to be desired. His shot selection frequently frustrates teammates, coaches and supporters alike. When the pressure is on, he struggles.
Making predictions about Sesko's potential influence at Man Utd is an exercise in futility because Ruben Amorim has completely rejigged his attack with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
It remains to be seen how that frontline will function in competitive fixtures, but on the face of it, Sesko does not appear to be the answer to Man Utd's prayers.
Man Utd need a player who can make an instant impact, and Sesko seems like a signing very much in the mould of Rasmus Hojlund. They are betting on potential rather than substance.
A move to Newcastle would have made more sense. Filling the shoes of Alexander Isak would have been a tall task, but the general environment is much more forgiving, allowing Sesko to acclimatise to and establish himself in the Premier League with significantly less pressure.
Isak has become one of the best strikers in the world at St. James' Park; Sesko could have followed a similar path. At Man Utd, he will have the weight of the world on his shoulders, and so far, there have been no convincing signs to suggest that he will be able to cope with this.
Football transfer news headlines today
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal bid for Eze imminent but Vieira sale crucial
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
Transfer News LIVE - Every rumour, every done deal: The very latest on Sesko, Eze developments?
'TOTAL AGREEMENT' - Fabrizio Romano confirms Sesko to Man Utd deal
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
