Manchester United may have missed out on Ruben Amorim’s top target, Viktor Gyokeres, but they can have the last laugh by swooping for Arsenal’s other forward target.
Gyokeres’ move to the Emirates is at an advanced stage, and United will have been aware of this scenario, given he made clear the North Londoners were his preference. His decision to snub a reunion with Amorim means the Red Devils will have to go back to the drawing board to sign a much-needed prolific number nine.
The Gunners were undecided between Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, and many believed the latter was the better option for Mikel Arteta’s style. The pair held many similarities that INEOS needn’t look further for a plan B than to pursue a deal for the RB Leipzig frontman.
Man Utd Must Break The Bank For Sesko
The Slovenian striker has characteristics that Amorim loves
Gyokeres became Europe’s most potent goalscorer amid his development under Amorim at Sporting CP. The Swede bagged a remarkable 66 goals in 68 games across competitions during their time working together.
Amorim needs a new frontman at United because Rasmus Hojlund has proven to be a letdown, while Joshua Zirkzee doesn’t have the traits of a number nine. The Red Devils are running out of options, with Gyokeres joining Arsenal following their other target, Liam Delap, heading to Chelsea earlier this summer.
Gyokeres may have been the Portuguese’s first choice to lead the line, but that was likely when the club believed the Gunners would be choosing Sesko over the Sweden international. The six-foot-five-inch Slovenian, while expensive, is now up for grabs, and he ticks all the boxes, including the age profile that INEOS desire in their recruitment.
Sesko, 22, has grown into one of Europe’s most highly-admired, “elite” centre-forwards, bagging 39 goals in 87 games at Red Bull Arena. He is a clinical finisher, a menace in the air and extremely agile despite his towering frame and was the subject of a the Reds’ reported scouting mission ahead of the summer.
Amorim wants a striker who can make constant runs beyond the defence, which hasn’t been the case with Hojlund during his reign. He’s even had more success using centre-back Harry Maguire as the focal point of attack, as he explained that he’s “good in the box” and “knows how to behave in that space”.
United will need to pay a hefty fee to bring Sesko to Old Trafford and they’d also need to convince the player on the project starting without Champions League football next season. But their transfer chiefs have found success, winning the race for Matheus Cunha and seemingly Bryan Mbeumo if a deal for the Brentford forward is finally agreed.
Arsenal’s talks with Leipzig reportedly collapsed after the Bundesliga side refused to meet Arsenal’s valuation of £72m. That doesn’t rule the Red Devils out, though, because they are focusing on moving on four attackers: Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony.