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Manchester United followers have voted with their ft and recognized the striker should be signed this summer season because the Purple Devils’ hunt for a brand new quantity 9 ramps up.
All in on Sesko
The Peoples Particular person’s ballot – asking followers which striker United ought to goal between RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa ahead Ollie Watkins, or whether or not the membership ought to select to put money into a unique striker or place fully – produced a convincing winner.
Out of 3226 responders, 69.7% voted for Sesko as their most popular goal whereas simply 20.2% chosen Watkins. 4.3% voted for “another person” up entrance and 5.6% imagine a unique place needs to be a “increased precedence” with the membership’s remaining finances.
This strategy has been mirrored by the Outdated Trafford hierarchy with United having settled on Sesko as their first-choice possibility at this stage of the summer season window.
Advances have been made beforehand for Liam Delap however the England U-21 worldwide rejected United in favour of a swap to Chelsea. There was additionally curiosity in Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike however they’ve each adopted the same path to Delap, with the previous becoming a member of Arsenal and the latter signing for Liverpool.
Sesko and Watkins have been the 2 prime candidates remaining on United’s listing of targets, regardless of each striker providing a considerably totally different profile by way of age, expertise, and skillset.
INEOS have demonstrated an emphasis on youthful signings since assuming the helm at Outdated Trafford final yr. And this distinction between the 2 choices – Sesko having simply turned 22 and Watkins turning 30 in December – is prone to have performed a significant position within the resolution to maneuver for the Slovenia worldwide.
Sesko can be extra of an old-school quantity 9, providing excellent bodily attributes with an unrelenting need to offer the end contact to strikes. Watkins is a way more well-rounded ahead, able to dropping deeper to assist hyperlink play in addition to providing a menace in behind.
However Ruben Amorim’s desire in his time with Sporting CP was a striker whose sole focus was objectives and offering a menace in behind to assist stretch the opposition defence, as demonstrated by Gyokeres’ and the Lions’ roaring success in Lisbon.
Out of the 2 choices, Sesko suits this profile greater than Watkins, whereas additionally abiding by INEOS’ recruitment mannequin. It’s clear, subsequently, that United’s executives are singing from the identical hymn sheet as their fanbase with a deal quickly advancing for Sesko.
A Deal is Shut
United are “closing in on a deal” for Sesko after an €85 million (€75m + €10m in add-ons) bid was submitted to Leipzig.
Newcastle have additionally tabled a proposal value a comparable quantity, albeit with more cash up entrance, however David Ornstein studies the 22-year-old striker is prioritising a transfer to Outdated Trafford over St James’ Park – a reality which has been communicated to “all events”.
There was no settlement struck with Leipzig but as negotiations proceed however this feels a switch which is extra a case of when versus if at this stage – a improvement which ought to delight slightly below 70% of the membership’s fanbase.
Featured picture Maja Hitij by way of Getty Pictures
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