Manchester United are expected to sign another striker this summer but may find that one target ends up with a Premier League rival.
Eyebrows were raised before kick-off against Newcastle United as Rasmus Hojlund started on the bench.
The Dane is United’s only recognised striker right now with Anthony Martial on the sidelines since December.
Hojlund hasn’t exactly been in great form of late but Erik ten Hag going without a striker against the Magpies was a surprise.
United won 3-2 in the last home Premier League game of the season, with Hojlund coming off the bench to score what proved to be the winner.
United fans said goodbye to Martial as he prepares to leave the club at the end of his contract this summer.
That leaves United to surely bring in a new striker this summer and a number of other strikers have been linked.
Arsenal favourites for Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko
United may be tempted to go for a more experienced striker to help Hojlund not just for next season, but for the long-term.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been linked and would make sense in terms of giving Hojlund somebody to learn from at United.
United have also been linked with younger strikers as well though with Benjamin Sesko a prominent name.
Sesko has been on United’s radar for a while now and reports in April suggested that United were back in for his signature.
Previously of Red Bull Salzburg, Sesko admitted earlier this season that he rejected a 2022 move for United.
United may be back in for the Slovenian but he could instead end up signing for Arsenal.
The Telegraph report that clubs now believe that Arsenal are ‘in pole position’ to sign Sesko this summer.
It’s suggested that Arsenal have a ‘strong interest’ in Sesko and rival suitors believe that the Gunners are now leading the race for his signature.
Sesko release clause explained
When the reports of United’s renewed interest emerged, it was noted that Sesko has a £43million release clause in his contract.
That seemed like an enticing price tag for such a promising young forward, but United – or anybody else – would have to pay much more.
However, Sesko’s release clause is now understood to have increased due to his impressive displays in the Bundesliga.
Sesko has hit 13 Bundesliga goals this season whilst scoring in each of his last six appearances for the club.
That means Sesko’s release clause now believed to have gone up to £64million, a major increase from its previous value.
United paid a similar fee for Hojlund last summer and may be reluctant to fork out that kind of money for another physically impressive but raw forward.
Arsenal may be more willing to cough up that fee, leaving them seemingly ahead of United in the race for Sesko’s signature.
