Man United’s pursuit of their £70 m striker target and Ruben Amorim’s “secret weapon” in that race.
Manchester United are intensely pursuing RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old striker Benjamin Sesko, with reports confirming open talks and negotiations led by the club’s head of recruitment and negotiator team . Sesko, whose release clause reportedly stands around €70 m (£70 m), is seen as the long‑term answer at No 9, offering mobility, technique and youth after a Finnish season tally of 39 goals in two Bundesliga campaigns .
Multiple pundits have argued that Manchester United must avoid settling for a safe Premier League option, criticising interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (valued at ~£60 m) as “normalising mediocrity” and pointing out Sesko’s higher ceiling despite Watkins’ experience and proven Premier League record . Watkins remains on United’s radar, but Villa’s reluctance to sell and high valuation have made Sesko a more appealing alternative .
Amid a crucial summer rebuild following United’s worst-ever league finish (15th place), Amorim has already secured two major signings: Matheus Cunha (£62.5 m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£65–71 m) – both key to his preferred 3‑4‑3/3‑4‑2 1 system . On this evolving front, Sesko is viewed not only as a strategic fit but as a foundational piece for Amorim’s future plans.
As for what Amorim considers his “secret weapon” in the Sesko race: it is his strong internal network and close ties to Sporting CP’s sporting structures—particularly through collaboration with United’s technical director Jason Wilcox, who previously worked with Sporting’s director Hugo Viana. This relationship, combined with targeted recruitment aligned to his tactical blueprint, gives him a meaningful edge in both identifying and recruiting players like Sesko who fit his demanding profile .
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Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive on Sesko’s attributes or further background on Amorim’s recruitment philosophy.
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