Newcastle and Manchester United Clash for Sesko: Is the 6’5″ RB Leipzig Star Prem-Ready?

Insights from a German expert

As the transfer window heats up, clubs are spending heavily, particularly on strikers, which has garnered significant media attention. Arsenal has finally filled their striker gap by signing Viktor Gyökeres, yet a former target of theirs, RB Leipzig’s towering forward Benjamin Sesko, is now at the center of a bidding war between two other Premier League clubs. Once seen as Arsenal’s top choice, Sesko is now being pursued by both Newcastle and Manchester United. Newcastle is facing the potential loss of star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a record-breaking transfer, making Sesko a prime candidate for replacement. Meanwhile, Manchester United has reportedly reached out to inquire about a possible deal. Sesko’s current market value is estimated at €70 million.

So, is Sesko the right fit for these clubs? Is he prepared to make an immediate impact in the Premier League? It’s hard to ignore the parallels drawn between Sesko and Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland. Both made the transition from Red Bull Salzburg to the Bundesliga, both stand at six-foot-five, and both have been highlighted as top European prospects from a young age. While Haaland has established himself as a world-class player, there are expectations that Sesko—who turned 22 in late May—could eventually follow in his footsteps. However, our German expert offers a different comparison with another Premier League player.

Is Benjamin Sesko ready to thrive in the Premier League?

Sesko had his best season yet in the 2024/25 campaign, amassing a total of 27 goal contributions (21 goals and six assists). While those figures aren’t jaw-dropping, they indicate a strong foundation, with the potential for even greater performance as he develops. Alexander Binder, Chief Editor at Transfermarkt in Germany, describes Sesko’s playing style: “He is a fast, physically powerful center-forward who excels in transition and poses a significant aerial threat.” Over his two seasons with RB Leipzig, he transitioned from an impact substitute to a regular starter, with his market value increasing from €24 million to €70 million during that time.

While some fans envision Sesko achieving Haaland-like success, Binder draws a different comparison with Premier League striker Darwin Núñez. Though Núñez has faced challenges in adapting to life at Liverpool, both players possess raw talent and are still developing their game. Sesko is not yet a polished product.

While this might suggest that Sesko isn’t quite ready for an immediate impact in the Premier League, several factors may indicate otherwise. “The Premier League appears to be a natural fit for him,” Binder commented. “His speed and physical presence could pose serious challenges for defenders. However, to become a truly elite striker, he must refine his finishing skills. He ranked among the players with the most missed big chances in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Bundesliga seasons.”

Turning down Manchester United in 2023

Several Premier League clubs have shown interest in Sesko for some time, with Saudi Pro League teams also attempting to lure him away. Among these clubs, Manchester United has been a consistent name linked to his potential signing. They came close to acquiring him from Red Bull Salzburg some time ago, and Sesko discussed that near-miss with Transfermarkt in 2023: “To be honest, I wasn’t really engaged in discussions at that time,” he said regarding United’s interest. “But I think it was better to come here,” referring to his decision to join RB Leipzig. Instead, Manchester United opted to sign Danish striker Rasmus Højlund for €73.9 million that summer.

Ultimately, Sesko chose to stay within the Red Bull system, becoming the 20th player to transfer from Salzburg to Leipzig. Leipzig secured his services in the summer of 2022 but allowed him to stay with Salzburg for an additional season, where he netted 16 goals and provided four assists in 30 Austrian Bundesliga matches. “It was vital for me to go to a place that played a similar style of football,” said Sesko, reflecting on his choice of Leipzig over other offers. “I was familiar with their system, which meant I didn’t have to start learning everything from scratch.” However, if he transitions to the Premier League, he will likely face a significant learning curve under either Eddie Howe or Ruben Amorim.