Arsenal could be set to miss out on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko following reports that Manchester United sporting director Christopher Vivell is pushing to sign him this summer.
The Slovenia international is widely expected to leave Leipzig ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, amid significant interest from a host of top European clubs, and Man Utd have now intensified their pursuit as Ruben Amorim pushes the club to acquire a new centre forward.
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Victor Osimhen remains a key target for the Red Devils, although his salary demands are a major obstacle and Man Utd have seemingly now turned their attention to Sesko.
Vivell, who joined Man Utd as their sporting director last summer, was responsible for signing Sesko during his time at RB Salzburg and he also helped RB Leipzig reach a pre-agreement for the striker before leaving the Bundesliga side to join Chelsea in late 2022.
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Man Utd to sign Benjamin Sesko?
Vivell is interested in purchasing Sesko for a third time later this year, and he was in attendance to watch the 21-year-old during Leipzig’s 3-2 win over VfL Wolfsburg on Friday night, according to German outlet Sport Bild.
The Slovenian failed to add to his tally of 19 goals so far this season, although Man Utd remain interested in signing him amid the struggles of both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee this campaign.
Sport Bild have claimed that Leipzig will demand a club-record fee of €100 million to sell Sesko this summer, but the 21-year-old reportedly has a release clause worth between €70-80m included in his current contract so he is extremely unlikely to usurp Josko Gvardiol as the club’s most expensive sale of all time.
In addition to Sesko, Man Utd are also interested in signing his Leipzig team-mate Xavi Simons – who scored a brace against Wolfsburg on Friday and could be available for a fee of around €80m this summer.
