The name on everybody’s lips is Benjamin Sesko as the Slovenian striker is being eyed by Manchester United and Newcastle United. This summer, however, isn’t the first time the former have been interested in the sharpshooter – and why he didn’t move to Old Trafford in 2023 has been revealed.
Ruben Amorim and his entourage, after such a poor showing across 2024/25, are looking to reinforce in the centre-forward position and, although Newcastle have tabled an initial proposal of £70 million, Sesko remains the Red Devils’ primary target.
Sesko, currently on RB Leipzig’s books, is reportedly weighing up both options to decide which is optimal for his career, which is still in its infancy. In a few years’ time, of course, there’s every chance he could be among the world’s best strikers.
Sesko Previously Turned Down Man Utd Move
In 2023, the Red Devils signed Rasmus Hojlund instead
Just 22 years of age, Sesko has been on the radar of many big clubs for years gone by – and, according to the Daily Express, Manchester United were keen to sign the NK Domzale academy graduate in 2023. Rasmus Hojlund joined from Atalanta instead, while Sesko moved from RB Salzburg to Leipzig.
But why didn’t he decide to join? Erik ten Hag was in the Old Trafford dugout at that point; the club had beaten Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup final just months earlier and things, by that point, were looking rather positive. Sesko, however, wasn’t sold on the project.
“The thing is, I wasn’t really involved in these kinds of conversations [about which club I would sign for]. But I think it was better to come [to RB Leipzig],” the 22-year-old talisman said in 2024.
The Slovenian, who would be denied his ‘dream number’ (No.30) if he moved to Old Trafford this summer, also insinuated that their style of play didn’t suit him. With Ruben Amorim’s three-at-the-back system now the go-to, that is a completely different case.
“It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football. I already knew what I had to do and didn’t have to go through a whole learning process again.”
Tall strikers are coming back into fashion – think Erling Haaland, Nick Woltemade and Alexander Isak. Sesko falls into that category and would be an upgrade on what Amorim currently has at his disposal: Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who isn't your archetypal No.9.
In 2024/25 alone, the 2003-born hitman plundered 27 goal involvements (21 goals and six assists) in 45 outings, thus taking his overall goal tally for his Bundesliga employers to 39.
Sesko has told his RB Leipzig teammates that he will be leaving the club this summer, as reported by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg. It now just depends on whether it’s Trafford or Tyneside that will be his home for the foreseeable future.
Hojlund vs Zirkzee vs Sesko – 24/25 League Stats Compared
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All statistics per WhoScored – correct as of 02/08/2025