Benjmain Sesko is nearing a move to Manchester United after personal terms were agreed, and the striker might not be as raw and as big a risk as some are making out if one stat is anything to go by
Leipzig's Slovenian forward #30 Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt
Benjamin Sesko has an outstanding goal record for RB Leipzig over the past two seasons
(Image: Getty)
Incoming Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko is the top goalscorer aged under 23 in Europe's five biggest leagues over the past two seasons.
Ruben Amorim looks set to be handed a new No. 9 in the form of RB Leipzig ace Sesko, who is the subject of a £65.3million bid from the Red Devils, that could rise to £74million if specific add-ons are met. Premier League rivals Newcastle are also interested in the striker and have tabled a proposal more lucrative than United's, but the 22-year-old's preference is a move to Old Trafford.
Sesko is currently training away from his Leipzig team-mates, as per a statement released by his club, and while some have voiced concerns over his abilities and huge price tag, his goal-scoring statistics speak for themselves.
Over the last two seasons, no player under the age of 23 has scored more goals than Sesko in Europe's top five leagues, as he's tallied 39 in just 87 games.
This places him one strike ahead of Real Madrid and England superstar Jude Bellingham, and five goals in front of Florian Wirtz, whose summer move to Liverpool could become a British record if certain add-ons are realised.
In fourth on the list is Bayern Munich dynamo Jamal Musiala, who has mustered 33 goals during this period, with a gap then to the likes of PSG's Bradley Barcola and German ace Maximilian Beier on 26.
Ex-Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham reacts while playing for Real Madrid
Sesko has scored more goals than Bellingham since August 2023
Sesko topping this table and besting some of Europe's finest young talents when it comes to goalscoring will be music to Amorim's ears, perhaps indicating that he will not arrive in Manchester out of his depth. United are, either way, prepared to go all in on Sesko, having already agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old.
Joining Barcola and Beier on 26 goals during this period is current Red Devil Rasmus Hojlund - highlighting the gulf between him and Sesko. The Dane, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2023 for a whopping £72m, hasn't been entirely goal shy during his spell with United, but has failed to live up to costly expectations.
Now, Sesko looks likely to touch down, and the Manchester Evening News reported on Wednesday that Hojlund is resigned to being forced out by United if the Slovenian signs.
Just two seasons after his £72m arrival, Hojlund is thought to be available for as little as £30m, which is under half of what was paid for him.
However, Hojlund was optimistic when he spoke to reporters about his future during United's pre-season tour of the US, saying: "I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.
"I'm still very young. I think people forget that sometimes. I'm only 22. Obviously, not every striker is scoring 100 goals at the age of 22 (like Erling Haaland). But I've learned a lot, I think you can see in my game.
"I'm starting to develop and become even better in the basics. Now it's just about for me to sharpen myself and I've done very well in the pre-season so far. Just focusing on continuing that.
"Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I'm more than ready. I'm feeling sharp, so I'm welcoming everything that comes. I think it's good with competition and it only sharpens the team."