Manchester United transfer news and opinion as Ruben Amorim could approve one of his key transfers with Benjamin Sesko’s arrival
Manchester United are now in pole position to land RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and if they do so, will tick off another one of Ruben Amorim’s transfer wishlist arrivals.
After a difficult start to life in Manchester, the United boss is preparing for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford. United finished 15th in the Premier League last term and instantly promised his side would be better next time around.
So far, three players have been added to the first-team squad. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are the two headline arrivals with Diego Leon adding depth at left wing-back. The priority right now is a striker and with less than two weeks until the new season kicks-off, there is a genuine chance that a move is completed by then.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are now confident that Sesko prefers them over Newcastle United despite the Reds’ financial package falling below Newcastle’s.
United have bid €75million (£65.3m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons in an attempt to sign Sesko. After already beating their Premier League rivals to Mbeumo this window, the Reds could be about to continue their fine-tuned business by adding a goalscorer.
However, close to £75m for one player after already investing more than £120m on two first-team players will see United push their limit on PSR. With that in mind, it’s worth looking at different solutions the club could turn to.
The prospect of a swap deal makes sense. Although the term ‘swap deal’ never really plays out how it implies – clubs swap one player for another and that’s that – they are often utilised in today’s to decrease the damage done on the financial books.
For example, if United offered a player to Leipzig, the player sale would decrease the amount United paid for Sesko, as far as the financial books are concerned. Rasmus Hojlund is the most obvious candidate to be selected with Leipzig understood to hold an interest in him but there is a wildcard option that United would love to grant.
Jadon Sancho is still available for transfer after returning from his loan at Chelsea. A move to Juventus had looked like it was progressing well but that has gone quiet recently.
Before his return to England, the winger was impressive in Germany with Borussia Dortmund. A move back to the Bundesliga has constantly been touted and it wouldn’t go amiss to suggest he wouldn’t be a smart acquisition for Leipzig.
With Xavi Simons set to join Chelsea before the window shuts, Ole Werner’s squad will be short on attackers. The failure on United’s side to cash-in on Sancho has left them in a position where any move will do at this point of the window, especially with Amorim having no intention to integrate him back into his squad.
Partner Sancho either alongside Hojlund or as a separate add-on to the Sesko move, United could sell one of their available players and bring in a striker all in the same bulk of negotiations.
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