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Benjamin Sesko idolised Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is ‘better than Erling Haaland’ and could now join Manchester United

Benjamin Sesko is one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe. Manchester United have opened talks for Sesko after sending a delegation to Germany to meet with RB Leipzig officials. Sesko is now Man United’s top striker targetGetty The Red Devils are hoping to hijack Newcastle’s move for the striker Leipzig quoted Arsenal a price in excess of €80million for the striker earlier in the window, who have since signed Viktor Gyokeres. But both Newcastle and Man United believe a transfer could be possible for closer to €70m. talkSPORT understands Sesko favours a move to Old Trafford over St James’ Park. The 22-year-old has been a Red Bull prospect since 2019, initially for Salzburg and now Leipzig, where he’s caught the world’s attention. Standing at 6ft 4in, Sesko is a physical presence, but he still possesses technical ability and incredible speed on the pitch. This has led to comparisons to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, with even his teammates at Leipzig likening the two. Sesko joined Salzburg after Haaland left, and he spoke about the comparison while at the club, saying: “Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy. “They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is. “My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. “Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him!” Sesko’s stature and speed has seen him compared to HaalandAFP His similarity to Haaland has seen him use the two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner as an example, but it’s another striker that he idolises. Sesko grew up with iconic forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his role-model. He would watch videos of the former Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan and PSG star, but not because of the way he played. “Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol,” he told the Guardian in 2023. “I’m not saying I play like him, but he was having fun, enjoying himself on the pitch, doing what he wanted to do. It makes me really happy when I see that kind of player. “Every single video I could find, I was looking at him.” Sesko loved Zlatan’s happiness on the pitchGetty So, with Sesko’s play style similar to Haaland’s and his attitude to football taking inspiration from Ibrahimovic, he is primed to be a star. Certainly, that is the view that teammate Yusuf Poulsen shares. The Danish international has played with Christopher Nkunku and Rasmus Hojlund, but he insists Sesko is the best he’s played with. Speaking in 2024, the forward said: “He’s the best I’ve played with. “If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number nine needs. “He’s still young, he still needs to learn, not the technical things about being a striker, but maybe more the finesse side. “He has everything, strength shooting, technique, everything. I like working with him and I’m trying to get him there – he’ll go on and score a lot of goals for us and some point go to the club he’ll love to play for.” Sesko has reached double figures in the league for the last three seasonstalkSPORT Last season, he snubbed a possible Premier League move by signing a new contract at Leipzig. However, that includes a variable release clause. This means there is a base fee, and it changes depending on different things relating to his performances. Who are United looking to sell to fund the Sesko move? Man United have also held some talks with Dortmund, who are deciding whether to make a bid to re-sign Jadon Sancho. Sancho is now available for around £17m, but agreeing terms with the player will prove costly for any suitor. Juventus are also in talks with the Manchester United winger. Sancho is not the only forward United are looking to shift this window, as Alejandro Garnacho has also been told he can leave. It is understood the Argentinian has asked for a move away too, with Villa one of the clubs interested in his services.

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Benjamin Sesko idolised Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is ‘better than Erling Haaland’ and could now join Manchester United

Benjamin Sesko is one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe.

Manchester United have opened talks for Sesko after sending a delegation to Germany to meet with RB Leipzig officials.

Sesko is now Man United’s top striker target

The Red Devils are hoping to hijack Newcastle’s move for the striker

Leipzig quoted Arsenal a price in excess of €80million for the striker earlier in the window, who have since signed Viktor Gyokeres.

But both Newcastle and Man United believe a transfer could be possible for closer to €70m.

talkSPORT understands Sesko favours a move to Old Trafford over St James’ Park.

The 22-year-old has been a Red Bull prospect since 2019, initially for Salzburg and now Leipzig, where he’s caught the world’s attention.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Sesko is a physical presence, but he still possesses technical ability and incredible speed on the pitch.

This has led to comparisons to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, with even his teammates at Leipzig likening the two.

Sesko joined Salzburg after Haaland left, and he spoke about the comparison while at the club, saying: “Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy.

“They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is.

“My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed.

“Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him!”

Sesko’s stature and speed has seen him compared to Haaland

His similarity to Haaland has seen him use the two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner as an example, but it’s another striker that he idolises.

Sesko grew up with iconic forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his role-model.

He would watch videos of the former Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan and PSG star, but not because of the way he played.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol,” he told the Guardian in 2023.

“I’m not saying I play like him, but he was having fun, enjoying himself on the pitch, doing what he wanted to do. It makes me really happy when I see that kind of player.

“Every single video I could find, I was looking at him.”

Sesko loved Zlatan’s happiness on the pitch

So, with Sesko’s play style similar to Haaland’s and his attitude to football taking inspiration from Ibrahimovic, he is primed to be a star.

Certainly, that is the view that teammate Yusuf Poulsen shares.

The Danish international has played with Christopher Nkunku and Rasmus Hojlund, but he insists Sesko is the best he’s played with.

Speaking in 2024, the forward said: “He’s the best I’ve played with.

“If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number nine needs.

“He’s still young, he still needs to learn, not the technical things about being a striker, but maybe more the finesse side.

“He has everything, strength shooting, technique, everything. I like working with him and I’m trying to get him there – he’ll go on and score a lot of goals for us and some point go to the club he’ll love to play for.”

Sesko has reached double figures in the league for the last three seasons

Last season, he snubbed a possible Premier League move by signing a new contract at Leipzig.

However, that includes a variable release clause.

This means there is a base fee, and it changes depending on different things relating to his performances.

Who are United looking to sell to fund the Sesko move?

Man United have also held some talks with Dortmund, who are deciding whether to make a bid to re-sign Jadon Sancho.

Sancho is now available for around £17m, but agreeing terms with the player will prove costly for any suitor.

Juventus are also in talks with the Manchester United winger.

Sancho is not the only forward United are looking to shift this window, as Alejandro Garnacho has also been told he can leave.

It is understood the Argentinian has asked for a move away too, with Villa one of the clubs interested in his services.