Manchester United have stolen the march on Newcastle United and are closing in on the transfer of Benjamin Sesko.
As exclusively revealed by TBR Football, Sesko has been deliberating between Man United and Newcastle for his next move, with the Premier League duo both lodging bids with RB Leipzig.
Now, the transfer saga is nearing its conclusion, and Manchester United can plan for life with Sesko this season – according to David Ornstein, the Slovenian international has decided on a switch to Old Trafford.
The supporters will undoubtedly hold reservations at the prospect of another project striker leading the line for the Red Devils. Still, Sesko’s fellow countryman has issued his unwavering support with a bombshell claim.
Benjamin Sesko can be Manchester United’s own Erling Haaland
Slovenian football journalist Izidor Kordic is expecting Sesko to hit the ground running immediately in the Premier League.
“He has the potential to be as influential for Manchester United as [Erling] Haaland is for Manchester City,” Kordic told BBC Radio Manchester’s Total Sport about his countryman.
“He’s the biggest footballer we’ve ever had in Slovenia, but the best thing about him is that the best is yet to come. We can only be happy about his future.
“The problem for Manchester United is they have Rasmus Hojlund at the moment, who is the same age as Sesko and was also put in the fire when he came a few years ago. It will be big pressure for Sesko, but I think, besides his athleticism and fantastic football skills, his character and mentality are 10 out of 10.
RB Leipzig v FC Augsburg - Bundesliga
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
“This is something that makes a difference at the highest level. I think he is ready to be the number one striker at Man Utd or at Newcastle.
“I would say Man Utd is his preference because of the stature of the club.”
How do Benjamin Sesko and Erling Haaland compare?
Sesko broke through the ranks at RB Salzburg one year after Erling Haaland earned his move to Borussia Dortmund.
While the strikers share similar origins at the senior level, ex-Salzburg coach Rene Aufhauser dubbed Sesko a “better football player” and believes Sesko was the more technically gifted of the two during their time in Austria.
Of course, Sesko has a long way to go before any notable comparisons can be drawn with the Manchester City star, but the early indications of his potential impact on the other side of Manchester are nothing short of positive.
Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City against Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Sesko matched Haaland’s return of 16 Austrian Bundesliga goals in their final season for Salzburg, then recorded 47 goal contributions in 87 appearances across all competitions in Germany.
An impressive feat even in comparison to what Haaland achieved, considering the vast difference in quality between the respective Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund sides.
There are still concerns after Arsenal withdrew from the Sesko race, opting instead to sign Viktor Gyokeres. However, should Sesko come close to the impact Haaland has had in the Premier League, it will be a £74 million investment well spent for Manchester United.