Manchester United are looking to sign a striker, having struggled for goals throughout last season, and have sights firmly set on a key addition.
In the 2024/25 season Manchester United were able to score just 44 goals in 38 Premier League games. To put that in context, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak scored 23 goals, more than half of Manchester United’s overall tally.
United desperately need a centre-forward, and Alexander Isak is looking to leave Newcastle. His price is being touted at a gargantuan £150 million, The Mail claim, a fee too expensive for Manchester United, so signing the Swede is a non-starter.
Instead, Manchester United are plotting to sign Newcastle’s planned Isak replacement, Benjamin Sesko, and lead the race for his signature, amid competition.
Talks are ongoing between United and Sesko’s representatives, along with RB Leipzig, who are looking for around £64 million.
Benjamin Sesko applauds fans during RB Leipzig match.
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko can follow Alexander Isak success
Newcastle paid £63 million to sign Alexander Isak in 2022, a fee in the same range as the demands Manchester United face for Sesko.
Isak was 22-years-old at the time he signed for Newcastle. Benjamin Sesko is currently 22.
And while there have been unflattering comparisons to Rasmus Hojlund, Isak is a more realistic match.
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Hojlund was only 20-years-old when Manchester United signed him, and had spent only one season playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues, with Atalanta in 2022/23.
Sesko has spent the past two seasons playing in Germany for RB Leipzig, where crucially he has also added to his experience by playing Champions League football in both seasons.
This is more similar to Alexander Isak, who spent three seasons with Real Sociedad after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
Isak established himself as one of La Liga’s top strikers, while also gaining experience in the Europa League.
Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last season for Leipzig, also contributing six assists, per Sofascore.
Benjamin Sesko via Sofascore
Benjamin Sesko via Sofascore
Manchester United aim to sign striker on the rise
Manchester United fans understandably have reservations about Benjamin Sesko due to the way the Rasmus Hojlund experiment has worked out.
But the strategy of targeting young players on the rise is a sound one, as the Alexander Isak success at Newcastle has demonstrated.
Going back to chasing strikers in their 30s can provide an immediate impact, but with limited timeframe.
United are in a situation where improvement is demanded, but expectations for next season are also moderate. It is ideal for Sesko to come in and make an impact, and grow into Ruben Amorim’s system.