Manchester United have narrowed down their striker search to two primary names in Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
The club have been weighing up various options over the summer and now, having signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, they are tailoring their energies on who might join up top.
No decision has yet been made on which target to advance but United are in contact on both Watkins and Sesko to establish the potential costs of each deal. A move for Nicolas Jackson, a player under consideration, has been ruled out due to Chelsea’s demands.
United are in the evaluation stage and there is internal acceptance that negotiations might take time, with Aston Villa and RB Leipzig each putting significant price tags on their respective players. United need to make sales to raise funds, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony on the market for valuations that would cover the cost of a major arrival while the departure of players such as Jadon Sancho would also add to the funds available.
United’s pursuit of a new striker also keeps Rasmus Hojlund’s future in doubt and, while Inter’s capture of Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma means the Serie A side are no longer pursuing his signature, several other clubs are observing the situation.
United are in the process of weighing up Watkins and Sesko for their contrasting styles, suitability to Ruben Amorim’s team, and financial outlay.
Villa privately insist Watkins is not for sale, but there is a belief at Old Trafford that a deal can potentially be done. United would not countenance the £60million Villa demanded from Arsenal in January, given Watkins is 29, but they might look to find an agreement at £40m to £45m.
His age means he could have a limited time left at the top level, and there is little resale value, but Watkins would fit the bill as Premier League proven, which Amorim confirmed was a factor in the moves for Cunha and Mbeumo.
Watkins has 75 goals in 184 games for Villa in the Premier League, reaching double figures in each of his past five seasons, and is seen by some at United as the transfer target most likely to be a reliable source of goals in England’s top flight. Watkins registered 24 goals and assists in the Premier League during the last campaign, behind only Alexander Isak (29) and Erling Haaland (25) among strikers.
He also has a pre-existing relationship with Mbeumo from the 2019-20 campaign at Brentford. The pair hit 40 Championship goals between them, with Watkins at centre-forward and Mbeumo as a right winger.
The cost of recruiting Sesko would be higher. When he signed his new contract in 2024, it came with the understanding that if an elite club — by his definition — offered in the region of €80m-€90m (£69m to £78m), Leipzig would allow him to leave. Arsenal ended up walking away from a deal after finding talks difficult and the overall expense too great.
United have three times looked at signing Sesko, though, dating back to when he was a 16-year-old at Domzale, and he is viewed as having a high potential ceiling. At 22, Sesko could yet be sold in future years, so a transfer should maintain good value.
Manchester United have a longstanding interest in Benjamin Sesko, who is also a target for Newcastle (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell has history with Sesko also — occupying executive positions at Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig in 2019 and 2022 respectively.
But Sesko’s tally of 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga games this season is judged by some as falling short of the numbers required for the kind of fee it would take to get him.
United must also consider Newcastle placing Sesko at the top of their list to replace Isak should he depart to Liverpool. There is anticipation Newcastle are ready to put major finances into the Sesko pursuit.
Complications for Watkins are that Villa would need a replacement, and in good time, but United must balance with outgoings and clubs are expected to wait to before progressing their interest on players, such as Chelsea with Garnacho, even if Amorim warned off clubs who may be anticipating a deadline day deal.
Watkins could bring best out of United’s attackers
Analysis by Manchester United writer Carl Anka
Leaving aside Watkins’ age, a move for him would be a continuation of INEOS’ (apparent) transfer strategy this summer.
United’s business so far appears to favour Premier League-tested attacking players — individuals who would require a shorter acclimatisation period as Amorim attempts to fire his side back up the league table.
As such, a deal for Watkins would be a sensible rather than spectacular move to salve the club’s goalscoring woes. The England international scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 38 Premier League games last season, 31 of which were starts.
The last two years have seen the England international evolve his game under Unai Emery. Previously a talented but streaky channel-runner, he has become a robust goalscorer and valuable focal point to Villa’s attack.
If he were to move to United, he would become their best goalscoring threat in the air and when shooting within the penalty area. His runs in behind defences should also bring the best out of Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo and Cunha operating in deeper areas, too.
What does Sesko offer?
Analysis by Anantaajith Raghuraman from The Athletic’s Transfer Radar
There is so much more to Sesko’s game than goals. He is keen to get on the ball and willing to take risks, even if his passing can be wayward.
Despite his 6ft 5in (195cm) frame, he boasts excellent close control and can dribble past defenders with a change of pace. Coupled with his proficiency in aerial duels, he is a tough assignment for centre-backs.
Sesko’s most important attribute is his shooting. He scores with his stronger right foot, left foot and head (as can be seen in last season’s shot map above), and his positioning and off-the-ball movement are excellent.
He has thrived when partnered alongside a pacey goal threat, be it Lois Openda at Leipzig or Junior Adamu at Red Bull Salzburg, and any of the clubs interested in him would be improved with him in attack.
(Top image: Getty Images)
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