United are in the market for a new forward and are keen to sign the RB Leipzig forward
Sean McCormick is a content editor across our North East and Yorkshire football clubs. He was previously a Newcastle United reporter, a trends writer covering both the Magpies and Sunderland AFC, as well as a football content editor at the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Leverkusen's Patrik Schick (c) celebrates scoring
Leverkusen's Patrik Schick (c) celebrates scoring(Image: AP)
Manchester United's pursuit of a new striker in the transfer market remains their number one priority this summer.
After scoring just 44 goals in the Premier League last season, the fifth lowest total in the division, Ruben Amorim has made it his mission to find a cure for United's goalscoring woes this term.
He has already secured the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 37 goals between them last season, but he is desperate to land an out and out forward to complete his dream attack.
And that search has seen them land on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as their primary target, having previously missed out on a move for Liam Delap who opted to join Chelsea earlier this summer.
But Newcastle United are also in the hunt to sign the Slovenia international and the Magpies are prepared to do battle with the Reds in the race to sign the 22-year-old, who scored 21 goals last season.
Newcastle have already made a bid while we reported last week that United were advancing on a move for the former RB Salzburg forward.
The choice looks likely to come down to the player as Leipzig have made clear their transfer demands to both clubs. Should Sesko choose St James' Park over Old Trafford then United will be back to the drawing board when it comes to their striker search.
One possible alternative could have been a move for Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick. The Czech international has been linked with United in the past and he enjoyed an excellent season at the BayArena last term.
The 29-year-old scored 27 goals in all competitions for the German side and there was speculation he could be on the move elsewhere this summer.
However, he has penned a new deal at the club on Monday, committing his future to the German Super Cup champions until 2030.
Former United boss Erik ten Hag, who is now Leverkusen's manager, sees Schick as a key player in his project at the German club and his new contract has put an end to speculation over his future.
If United do miss out on a deal for Sesko, their search for a new forward now certainly won't include Schick.