Manchester United and Arsenal are both in the market for a world-class striker. While both clubs already boast talented forwards like Marcus Rashford, Gabriel Jesus, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kai Havertz, none of these players have consistently reached the elite milestone of 30 goals per season.
The Red Devils are reportedly keen on bringing in a striker on the verge of breaking into that elite category, but Arsenal currently holds the advantage in this race for a top talent.
Manchester United’s Interest in Benjamin Sesko
According to a report from Give Me Sport, Manchester United has set their sights on Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian international who scored 18 goals across 42 appearances last season for RB Leipzig. United’s recruitment team at Old Trafford is said to admire the 21-year-old forward, who has even been labeled as “better” than Erling Haaland by some of his teammates.
However, despite the interest from Manchester, Arsenal remains Sesko’s preferred destination. The striker reportedly would have joined the Gunners in the summer if he had decided to leave Leipzig, as Arsenal was his top choice. Give Me Sport also suggests that Sesko is expected to leave the Bundesliga in the summer of 2025, leaving United with work to do if they hope to convince him to pick Old Trafford over North London.
Arsenal’s Summer Deal That Didn’t Materialize
It’s worth noting that Arsenal had the opportunity to sign Sesko during the last transfer window for £55m, as part of a release clause in his contract. However, the release clause has since expired, and Sesko’s value has now skyrocketed to £96.3m, according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Although this valuation isn’t Leipzig’s confirmed asking price, it demonstrates the rapid rise in Sesko’s market worth after an impressive 2024 campaign.
Arsenal Could Offload Gabriel Jesus to Make Room
During the summer, rumors swirled that Arsenal was open to selling Gabriel Jesus if a suitable offer came in. While the Brazilian striker ultimately stayed at the Emirates — with Eddie Nketiah heading to Crystal Palace instead — Arsenal remains heavily linked with Sesko. Should a deal come to fruition in 2025, it’s believed that Jesus would be sold to make room for the Slovenian star.
Jesus has faced more injury setbacks this season and has yet to start a Premier League match, making a potential exit from North London in 2025 a strong possibility.