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<p>Man Utd's Rejection in 2023</p>
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<img alt="Is Benjamin Sesko ready for the Premier League? Manchester United set to beat Newcastle to striker" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/sesko-spotlight-1753779357-173398.png" title="Is Benjamin Sesko ready for the Premier League? Manchester United set to beat Newcastle to striker">
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As the transfer window heats up, high-profile signings are making headlines, particularly among strikers. Arsenal has finally secured a striker by signing Viktor Gyökeres, but now one of their former targets may be heading to a Premier League rival. Benjamin Sesko, the imposing striker from RB Leipzig, was once at the top of the Gunners' wishlist, yet with Arsenal moving on, Newcastle and Manchester United have expressed interest. Recent reports indicate that Sesko has opted for Old Trafford as his next club.
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According to <em>The Athletic</em>, Manchester United is nearing an agreement to acquire Sesko after he chose them over Newcastle, even though RB Leipzig accepted a bid of €82.5m plus €2.5m from the Magpies. With concerns about losing star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a record Premier League transfer, Newcastle sees Sesko as a potential replacement. But the question remains: is Sesko what Man United needs, and is he ready to make an impact in the Premier League?
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Direct comparisons between Sesko and Man City’s Erling Haaland are inevitable. Both players, who share a towering height of six-foot-five and a history at Red Bull Salzburg, have been heralded as top prospects. Haaland has established himself as world-class, and while clubs may hope Sesko, who turned 22 in May, matures into a similar player, our European expert has drawn parallels to another Premier League forward.
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<h2>Can Benjamin Sesko Adapt Quickly to the Premier League?</h2><br/>
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Sesko enjoyed a productive season in the 2024/25 campaign, achieving 27 goal contributions (21 goals and six assists). While these statistics are commendable, there is a feeling that the Slovenian has the potential to excel even further. Alexander Binder, Chief Editor at <em>Transfermarkt</em> in Germany, elaborates: "Sesko is a quick, physically dominant centre-forward who excels in transitions and poses a significant aerial threat. He began as an impact substitute at RB Leipzig but gradually solidified his starting position, with his market value skyrocketing from €24 million to €70 million."
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<h2>Assessing the Player</h2><br/>
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While the thought of Sesko matching Haaland's output has been speculated, some fans would be more focused on whether he can evolve like Alexander Isak at Newcastle. Interestingly, Binder made a comparison with Liverpool's Darwin Núñez: "His playing style bears resemblance to Núñez's, although this might not excite fans, given Núñez's challenges at Liverpool last season.” Both players display raw talent, indicating that Sesko is still a work in progress.
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>€70.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€45.00m</p>
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<p>Centre-Forward</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Centre-Forward</p>
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<p>Contract until Jun 30, 2029</p>
<p>Contract until Jun 30, 2028</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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While these insights may suggest that Sesko isn't quite ready for an immediate impact in the Premier League, some aspects imply otherwise. "The Premier League seems like a natural fit for him," Binder noted. "His pace and physical presence could present significant challenges for defenders. The tactical dynamics appear favorable, but to become a truly elite striker, he will need to refine his finishing—having ranked among those missing the most big chances in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Bundesliga seasons."
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<h2>Rejecting Manchester United in 2023</h2><br/>
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Sesko has attracted interest from several Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs for quite some time. Of those, Manchester United has consistently been linked and seemed on the verge of signing him from Red Bull Salzburg some time ago. In an exclusive interview with <em>Transfermarkt</em>, Sesko discussed that earlier interest: “I wasn’t really involved in that kind of conversation,” he said regarding Man Utd’s approach. “But I think it was better to come here,” referring to RB Leipzig. Instead, Manchester United opted for Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, who they signed for €73.9m.
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>RB Leipzig</p>
<p>Manchester United</p>
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<p>€70.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€35.00m</p>
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<p>Centre-Forward</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Centre-Forward</p>
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<p>Contract until Jun 30, 2029</p>
<p>Contract until Jun 30, 2028</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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Sesko chose to remain within the Red Bull framework, becoming the 20th player to transition from Salzburg to Leipzig. Leipzig secured his services in summer 2022 but allowed him to stay in Salzburg for one more season, where he excelled with 16 goals and four assists in 30 Austrian Bundesliga matches. "It was vital for me to join a club with a similar playing style," he explained regarding his choice of Leipzig over others. "I was already familiar with the system and didn’t have to start from scratch." However, the move to the Premier League is sure to present a substantial learning curve as he prepares to work under Ruben Amorim.
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