Expert ‘sure’ on Man United signing Benjamin Sesko after £55m update
Noel Whelan has insisted Man United and Newcastle will be “put off” by Benjamin Sesko’s £55million price tag this summer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted clubs will want a striker “who can hit the ground running” for that kind of outlay – citing West Ham new boy Gianluca Scamacca.
According to the Daily Mail (25 July), Man United have joined the race for Red Bull Salzburg striker Sesko, with Newcastle and Bayern Munich also interested.
However, the report claims the Austrian giants do not wish to sell the hitman for under £55million this summer.
Sesko, who is under contract until June 2026, has started his 2022-23 campaign with two goals and an assist in two games.
The Slovenia international notched 10 goals and seven assists in 36 outings last term.
“I think more than £50million for a 19-year-old with 10 goals in the Austrian league – that’s not a great return,” Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You’ve got to be careful these days because lots of clubs will hold you to ransom.
“When you look at some of the players going for less than that price tag, like Scamacca – who is a proven goalscorer – then you’ve got to say that it’s not a realistic figure.
“Salzburg probably want to keep him around and are trying to price him out of a move.
“Look, there’s interest from the Premier League. But that price tag is one that will put these English sides off, for sure.
“For £55m, you want someone who is guaranteed to come in and hit the ground running.
“He may not be that player right now.”
In other news, pundit tells Man United to sanction 24-year-old exit after Denzel Dumfries report.