Man Utd break golden transfer rule after deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins

Benjamin Sesko has emerged as Manchester United’s primary transfer target after deciding not to pursue a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who has more top flight experience but is five years older than the RB Leipzig star

Manchester United have broken their transfer rule of opting for Premier League experience this summer after deciding to pursue Red Bull Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.

Ruben Amorim is desperate to equip his struggling side with proven English top-flight talent after the Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last season.

He’s already added Wolves star Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but neither player can play as an out-and-out centre forward – and Amorim has been left unimpressed by the performances of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Cunha demonstrated how important he can be as an impact player last year as he almost single-handedly saved Wolves from relegation with 15 strikes in the top flight, while Mbeumo dazzled with 20 goals for the Bees.

But the signing of Sesko would not follow the same trend and would be a somewhat risky move for a player who has only proven himself in the Bundesliga.

READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres explains why he rejected Man Utd transfer and sends Ruben Amorim warningREAD MORE: Man Utd problem position deepens for Ruben Amorim despite transfer being agreed

United were previously planning to go for another Premier League star to solve their striker worries in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but they have been put off the England man’s £60m asking price.

Watkins had been United’s preferred option this summer after bagging 16 goals for Villa last season but they have now decided to go against their own policy by going all out for Sesko.

The Slovenia international has emerged as one of the most promising talents in Europe in recent seasons after firing in 39 goals for the German side in the last two seasons.

He was previously strongly linked with Arsenal before the Gunners opted to snap up Amorim’s former Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres for £63.5m and that has now cleared the way for United to secure Sesko.

It’s understood United have opened informal talks with Leipzig over Sesko but are yet to table an official bid.

He was seen as a much more viable option that Watkins because, although he is being priced similarly to the 29-year-old, he is much younger at 22 and represents long-term value.

It won’t be plain sailing for United in their pursuit of Newcastle, however. Newcastle are also keen on the player after Liverpool pipped them to the signing of Hugo Ekitike, with the Magpies concerned about losing Alexander Isak to the Reds too.

Newcastle would be able to offer Isak Champions League football, but United showed with their signings of Cunha and Mbeumo that they still possess big club pull despite having no Europe.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.