Manchester United and Arsenal are both on the lookout for a top-tier striker to enhance their squads as they push for more consistency in their forward lines. While both teams possess skilled attackers—United with Marcus Rashford and Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and young Joshua Zirkzee—none of these players have been able to consistently score 30 goals in a single season.
This lack of a reliable, high-scoring forward has become a critical issue for both clubs. Manchester United, in particular, is determined to sign a player who is on the brink of breaking into the elite class of strikers. However, Arsenal seems to be in a stronger position to sign one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents.
One player that has caught Manchester United’s attention is Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian striker who currently plays for RB Leipzig. Sesko had an impressive 2024 season, scoring 18 goals in 42 appearances, which has made him a target for United’s scouting and recruitment team.
Sesko’s potential is highly regarded within the footballing world, with some of his teammates even suggesting that he could surpass the accomplishments of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Despite United’s strong interest, Arsenal seems to have the upper hand in the chase for Sesko. According to reports, Sesko would have favored a move to the Gunners during the last transfer window if he had decided to leave Leipzig.
Although he stayed in the Bundesliga, it appears Arsenal remains his preferred destination, and he could be looking to make a move by the summer of 2025. This presents a difficult scenario for Manchester United as they try to convince the talented striker to choose Old Trafford over North London.
During the previous transfer window, Arsenal had the opportunity to sign Sesko for a fee of £55 million due to a release clause in his contract. However, that clause has since expired, and his market value has significantly increased.
As of now, the CIES Football Observatory estimates Sesko’s worth at £96.3 million, reflecting the progress he made throughout the 2024 season. Although RB Leipzig has not publicly disclosed their current asking price for Sesko, his rising value signals how highly rated the forward has become.
The situation is further complicated for Arsenal, as their initial opportunity to sign him for a more reasonable price has passed. Still, their connection to the Slovenian talent persists, and a move could be on the horizon.
Over the summer, rumors suggested that Arsenal might have been willing to let go of Gabriel Jesus if they received the right offer. Though Jesus ultimately stayed with the team, there were signs that Arsenal was considering reshuffling their forward options. Eddie Nketiah, one of their other strikers, ended up being the one to leave, making a switch to Crystal Palace.
However, this hasn’t diminished the possibility that Arsenal could look to offload Jesus in the future, especially if they make a serious move for Sesko. Gabriel Jesus has struggled with injuries and has yet to start in the Premier League this season, raising questions about his long-term future with the club. If Sesko joins Arsenal, it’s plausible that Jesus could be sold to make way for the new signing, as the Gunners may prefer to invest in a younger, less injury-prone striker.
For now, Arsenal seems to be in the lead in the pursuit of Sesko, but Manchester United is still in the mix. Both clubs are eager to secure a striker who can deliver goals at a consistent and prolific rate. However, Arsenal’s prior connection to Sesko, coupled with his apparent preference for North London, means that Manchester United faces an uphill battle to lure him to Old Trafford. As the summer of 2025 approaches, the race to sign Sesko is expected to heat up, with both Premier League giants determined to strengthen their forward lines.
