Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Benjamin Sesko: Man Utd mocked by RB Salzburg as huge valuation set after Fabrizio Romano update

Benjamin Sesko of RB Salzburg

Red Bull Salzburg have issued a comical response after Manchester United reportedly joined Newcastle in the race to sign Benjamin Sesko.

The Red Devils may soon require a new striker if Cristiano Ronaldo achieves his wish of leaving Old Trafford. He has been rejected by several European giants so far, although agent Jorge Mendes is still determined to force through a move to Atletico Madrid.

Manchester United will still have Anthony Martial in their ranks if Ronaldo goes. The Frenchman has had a good pre-season too, notching three goals in four outings.

However, Martial has never been a consistent performer for United since joining from Monaco in 2015. United fans will likely want a different star than Martial to succeed Ronaldo.

One player who could move to the Theatre of Dreams is Salzburg ace Sesko. He has already been dubbed ‘the next Erling Haaland’ due to his goalscoring exploits at the age of 19.

United had the chance to sign Haaland before he went to Borussia Dortmund. Having missed out on the Norwegian, they could now land a player of his ilk in Sesko.

The teenager is Slovenia’s youngest ever goalscorer. He managed 10 strikes and seven assists for Salzburg last season, and is already on two goals during the new campaign.

Newcastle have begun targeting him after losing out on Hugo Ekitike to Paris Saint-Germain. But they are not alone in the hunt, as United like Sesko too.

Man Utd ‘well informed’ on Benjamin Sesko

On Sunday, Fabrizio Romano revealed United’s interest in the forward. He tweeted: ‘Manchester United are well informed on Salzburg talent Benjamin Sesko.

‘He’s one of the players monitored, considered ‘really talented’ – but it’s not imminent or advanced deal as of now.

‘Man Utd are aware of Sesko as other clubs are informed too, including Newcastle.’

Sesko has a contract with Salzburg that lasts until 2026, and the club clearly wants to keep him.

Responding to Romano’s tweet, they told United to pay £300million and offer Bruno Fernandes as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Sesko.

Clearly, the Austrian Bundesliga club are joking and won’t actually want this much for his signature.

However, Salzburg have tied him down to a long-term contract and this means they will definitely be able to command a serious figure.

As with most clubs, they know United are willing to spend big on players and will adjust their valuation accordingly.

transfermarkt rate Sesko at £9m currently. But expect this fee to rise astronomically if he has one or two more great seasons in front of goal.

Salzburg may only be mocking United with the above tweet, but it will serve as a slight warning that he will not be moving to England on the cheap.

Meanwhile, United supporters could enjoy Marcus Rashford at his best next term after a ‘priceless’ pre-season camp for the Englishman.