TA: Manchester United will choose Cesco if they sign a new striker and have contacted Leipzig

According to The Athletic, Manchester United now regards Sesco as the first choice for forward signings and has already contacted Leipzig.

report stated that if a new striker is signed this summer, Manchester United will give priority to signing RB Leipzig's Sesco. And after the player became Manchester United's preferred target, they have made informal contacts with Leipzig.

And in Newcastle, they also viewed the 22-year-old as their number one candidate. This interest arose in the context of Isaac's hope of leaving the team, which also prompted Manchester United to speed up its action.

The Athletic reported on July 29 that Manchester United has narrowed the signings of the new striker to Watkins of Cesco and Aston Villa and is evaluating the cost of the two potential deals.

Watkins has supporters at Manchester United, but Villa clearly told Manchester United early in the transfer window that the 29-year-old striker was a non-sale product, and they insisted that the player would stay. And Manchester United executives are reluctant to pay what they think is enough to allow Villa to consider the negotiations.

In this summer, Manchester United has strengthened two frontcourt players: Cunha joins from Wolves and Mbemo transfers from Brentford. In the past, Manchester United expressed interest in Cesco as early as 2019 before joining Salzburg Red Bull, but Manchester United thought his 3 million euro price was too high.

After the renewal of last year, Sesco's current contract with Leipzig ended in 2029, and the two sides reached a consensus when signing a new contract: if a top club - by Sesco's own definition - bid between 80 million and 90 million euros (about 69 million to 78 million pounds), Leipzig would allow him to leave the team.

Cesco joined Leipzig from Salzburg Red Bull in 2023. He made 87 appearances for Leipzig, scored 39 goals and contributed 8 assists.

The Athletic also pointed out that Manchester United had contacted Cesco in 2019, 2022 and last year. For the fourth attempt to sign this summer, it is still uncertain how Manchester United can afford the player's transfer fees.

Manchester United's signing director Viver is expected to play a key role in the potential deal: He has served in senior positions in Salzburg and Leipzig, and it was during his tenure that he had reached a transfer related to Sesco, and he has always advocated that Manchester United should take action again now.

In addition, the article also stated that although Watkins represents one of the most guaranteed candidates in the Premier League, what Manchester United is now pursuing is a player who can play for a club for ten years if everything goes well.

source:7n cn