Man Utd 'enter' race for Arsenal 'target' as they could hijack move for star who has £55m release clause

Reports suggest that Manchester United are targeting striker Benjamin Sesko who currently plays for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig amid interest from Arsenal both over the summer and moving forward.

The 21-year-old is expected to leave RB Leipzig next summer with significant interest from the Premier League meaning he could be in line with a move to England in 2025. Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in the Slovenian international, but according to Daily Mail+, United are now looking to make a move for the attacker as they aim to add more firepower up front.

Despite the reports suggesting a move away, Sesko signed a new contract at RB Leipzig in June which is supposed to keep him at the club until 2029. However, all that is likely to do is increase the price tag that the German club can place on the 21-year-old. According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea had also shown an interest in Sesko over the summer, but due to the amount of players they signed and money they spent, Arsenal or United seems a more likely destination.

Arsenal or Manchester United: How would Sesko fit in?

The Slovenian international is a proven goal-scorer in the Bundesliga. He has six goals and three assists in nine appearances in all competitions so far this season, following a season in which he netted 18 in 42 games. If Sesko was to move to the Emirates, he would likely compete with Kai Havertz for a starting spot. The 21-year-old has a better goal scoring pedigree than the German, however, Havertz’s recent form isn’t to be sniffed at.

The Arsenal striker scored six goals and made one assist in 10 games in all competitions. Havertz has also scored in every Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium so far. Whereas, if Sesko moved to Manchester United, he would likely face less stiff opposition for the striker spot. Despite the fact that the Red Devils have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, the two have not been able to generate any sort of consistent form so far and United have faced goal scoring issues this season.

After seven Premier League games, Erik Ten Hag’s team have scored just five goals which is the second-fewest in the division. It’s not a record that a team like United should hold. The RB Leipzig striker could provide instant goal-scoring ability and pedigree, but his arrival would create a congested squad in the striker position for the Red Devils which could create a poor atmosphere between the players.

How much is Benjamin Sesko worth?

The attacker is valued at around £42m (€50m) but has a release clause of £55m from the contract that he first signed when joining RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg in July 2023.

Either Arsenal or Manchester United will have to fork out the £50m plus price tag if they are to land the 21-year-old. However, it could be worth it for a striker that could help Arsenal beat out Manchester City or help United get back into the Champions League places. Arsenal passed on signing Sesko over the summer after he signed a new deal with Leipzig, but seeing as Premier League rivals United have entered the race for him, it could press the Gunners to make a move sooner rather than later.