Rasmus Hojlund has reacted to Manchester United’s £74million move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sekso, which threatens to end his lacklustre Old Trafford career.
Sesko has been on United’s radar for the past six years but he now finally looks set to make the move to Old Trafford after being given permission to travel to Manchester for a medical.
Daily Mail Sport understands United have agreed a deal worth an initial £66.4m, with a further £7.4m in add-ons.
The 22-year-old will arrive to complete a total overhaul of Ruben Amorim’s attack for the upcoming season, with Matheus Cunha arriving from Wolves for £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo joining from Brentford in a deal worth £71m.
Sesko is viewed internally at United as having superstar potential and he will look to kick on after scoring 21 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season.
The move raises serious questions over the future of Hojlund, who could be attainable for £30m. AC Milan are exploring whether that’s a financially viable deal, after Inter Milan earlier in the summer went in a different direction.
Manchester United are close to completing the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko
The move raises serious questions over the future of Rasmus Hojlund, who could be attainable for just £30m
The Dane, who scored just four goals in 32 league appearances last season, has seemingly given his seal of approval to the deal after eagle-eyed fans spotted his reaction on social media.
Hojlund’s Instagram account liked Fabrizio Romano’s post about Sesko’s imminent arrival within minutes of the news breaking.
The striker spoke on pre-season of how he wants to stay and fight for his place.
‘I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot whatever happens,’ Hojlund said after scoring in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago.
‘Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me,’ he added.
‘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.
‘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. But I’ve learned a lot, I think you can see in my game.
Newcastle United offered more more to RB Leipzig to sign Sesko as they look for a replacement for wantaway striker Alexander Isak but the player’s preference to join United was decisive in finding a quick resolution to the situation this week.
Since moving to Germany from Red Bull Salzburg Sesko has scored 39 goals and added eight assists in 87 games.
United have stayed tight-lipped throughout the pursuit of the Slovenia international, who has been capped 41 times by his country, allowing Newcastle to dictate the early stages of the bidding process.
Newcastle made two attempts to strike a deal for the 22-year-old before Manchester United officially entered the bidding on Tuesday.
