Benjamin Sesko has emerged as one of two top targets for Manchester United following the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo as Ruben Amorim's second summer signing. The Cameroonian has finally joined the Reds in a deal worth up to £71m (per David Ornstein) after over a month of negotiations with Brentford.
The club's transfer chiefs are turning their attention to signing a new number nine and Sesko is a hot topic of discussions at Old Trafford. Reports claim that United are "intensifying their interest" in the Slovenian after Arsenal called off their pursuit.
The 22-year-old fits the bill with his six-foot-five-inch frame, clinical finishing abilities and age profile. He is a player who director of recruitment Christopher Vivell knows well from his time working as RB Leipzig's technical director.
If United do pursue a deal for the Slovenia international they could be aided by the fact that his idol once wore the club's colours.
Sesko: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol
Sesko has often been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic because of his height and agility which has caused havoc in the Bundesliga. That's the one league the Swedish icon didn't play his football during an illustrious career that saw him flourish in Italy, France, Spain and England.
United can lay claim to handing Ibrahimovic a run in the Premier League and Sesko could look to follow in his footsteps by taking to Old Trafford. He spoke of his admiration of the Swede back in October 2023 (via The Guardian):
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol. I’m not saying I play like him but he was having fun, enjoying himself on the pitch, doing what he wanted to do. It makes me really happy when I see that kind of player. Every single video I could find, I was looking at him."
Sesko's comments will enthuse fans, not least because he stresses the need to enjoy yourself on a football pitch. We were so used to seeing faces of despair on Amorim's players' faces throughout a dreadful 2024-25 season.
There's also the added bonus that his idol is formerly of United and found success until a serious injury led to a premature United exit. He starred in Jose Mourinho's League Cup winning team of the 2016-17 campaign with 28 goals and 10 assists across competitions.
Ibrahimovic was 36 when he joined the club, nearing the end of his glorious career while Sesko at 22 is at the very start of his but has already garnered plaudits from across the footballing world. He could be a long-term solution for Amorim and INEOS.
Christopher Vivell's Sesko description is Zlatan-esque
United's new director of recruitment Vivell is said to be "one advantage" in the club's potential pursuit of Sesko. The German scout has moved up the hierarchy at Old Trafford and is now playing a leading role in INEOS' transfer strategy.
Vivell has known the Slovenian for around seven years having worked at Leipzig and RB Salzburg, part of Red Bull Group's recruitment which has earned a huge reputation for unearthing gems. He spoke highly of the striker back in 2024 with comments that you could attribute to Ibrahimovic (via TEAMTalk):
“Benjamin Sesko is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player.
He added:
He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6’4″) is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”
Sesko has also been compared to Manchester City's Erling Haaland, While the Norweigan has been a record-breaker in front of goal in England, it's Zlatan comparisons that are perhaps the icing on the cake for fans regarding a possible transfer.
Vivell could be the driving force behind a move but with suggestions that Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson is the alternative (per Fabrizio Romano) it feels vital that the Leipzig star is the priority. We can move on to a new goalkeeper after the striker search is over and use money from sales on a shot-stopper but a deal must be done for the Bundesliga frontman.
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