Manchester United are set to battle it out with Tottenham for the signature of RB Salzburg starlet Benjamin Sesko.
Benjamin Sesko, 19, has developed into one of the hottest young prospects in Europe currently thanks to his excellent performances in RB Salzburg colours. He has managed to establish himself as a key player for RB Salzburg over the last 15-18 months, and his displays have caught the eye of many clubs across Europe.
The teenager has been in superb form this season and has 14 goal contributions to boast about. Sesko put in another sizzling display on Sunday, bagging a hat-trick in the last 10 minutes of Salzburg’s 4-2 win over Rapid Wien—a victory that put his team nine points clear at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga table.
The Slovenian striker’s match-winning performance against Rapid Wien on Sunday was reportedly watched by the representatives of Manchester United, as well as the likes of Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves, Leicester City, Leeds United and Inter Milan.
While Sesko is due to join Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig in June, Man United still view the youngster as a potential target—in theory, if a suitable offer comes in the Bundesliga club could sell him and make a profit without the striker kicking a ball. In addition to Sesko, it is believed that United were also scouting full-back Amar Dedic and Danish talent Maurits Kjaergaard.
Man United to spend big on a striker?
Erik ten Hag has done a fantastic job in his first season at Manchester United. He has already ended the club’s six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup last month, whilst keeping them alive in two other cup competitions. Also, the Red Devils are third in the Premier League, but the damning 7-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday should serve as a reminder that Ten Hag still has a lot of weak areas in his squad to strengthen.
The Dutch tactician is keen on recruiting a top striker in the summer, with Wout Weghorst set to return to his parent club Burnley and Anthony Martial expected to be sold. Marcus Rashford, despite his goal tally this season, is not an out-and-out striker and thrives more off the left flank.
Thus, it is pretty clear that Man United must spend big on a striker at the end of the season. Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko is one of Ten Hag’s top targets having impressed with nine goals and two assists in 19 league games so far this season.
The Slovenia international is young, quick, physical and industrious with great potential, and he could become the focal point of United’s attack that they have lacked. Sesko lacks experience at the highest level but Ten Hag has shown in his managerial career that he can nurture talents.
It remains to be seen if Man United manage to get Sesko’s signature in the summer, as he would add immense quality up front for Ten Hag.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.