Man Utd plotting move to sign “the new Haaland”

Viktor Gyokeres is a striker who Ruben Amorim is hugely familiar with after their spell together at Sporting CP, helping the side win two Liga Portugal titles.

The Swede joined the club back in 2023 in a £20m deal from Coventry City, taking his career to the next level after his move – leading to rumours of a big-money transfer.

The 26-year-old has scored 83 goals in his 91 appearances for the Leões, including 28 goals in 25 matches during this campaign, helping the side sit top of the table.

There’s no denying that Manchester United supporters would want a reunion between the striker and the manager given their previous spell together in Portugal, but any deal could cost a fortune given his goalscoring record.

Given the need for a new talisman at Old Trafford, other options may also need to be considered, potentially turning their attention to another striker as a result.

United keen on landing striker this summer

According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, United are keen on a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer, with the Slovenian just one player on their shortlist.

The 21-year-old was previously on the Red Devils’ shortlist last summer, but no deal was ever reached for the forward, who has been in fine goalscoring form this year.

Sesko has netted 17 goals in his 36 appearances

across all competitions in 2024/25, undoubtedly providing that added cutting edge to Amorim’s attack should he move.

Whilst Plettenberg hasn’t mentioned a fee for his signature, Leipzig demanded a fee in the region of £70m in previous windows, with the Bundesliga side likely to be after a similar price tag this time around.

Whilst it would be yet another huge investment into the playing squad from the hierarchy, it could potentially allow the youngster to become the club’s own version of a proven Premier League talisman.

Why Sesko could be the new Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is a player who has set the English top flight alight in recent years, with his goalscoring form catapulting Manchester City to multiple Premier League titles.

The Norwegian international joined Pep Guardiola’s side back in 2022, notching a total of 119 goals in his 137 appearances for the club – with 36 of his efforts coming in his debut Premier League campaign, breaking the record in the process.

He’s been disappointing by his own standards this campaign, only notching 21 times in the league, his lowest tally since his move to the Etihad a couple of years ago.

However, Sesko has previously been labelled the “new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the Leipzig man producing numerous stats on par or even better than Haaland in 2024/25.

The Slovenian international may have registered fewer combined goals and assists than the Norwegian in 2024/25, but he’s managed to post a higher goal per shot on target rate than the City talisman – showcasing the clinical nature with the chances that have fallen his way.

He’s also registered more take-ons, whilst also winning more aerial duels, providing that all-round centre-forward presence that Amorim’s side has greatly missed in 2024/25.

Whilst Gyokeres would still remain a number one option to many given his previous time under the manager, Sesko’s form from this campaign highlights what a superb addition he would be.

Should he manage to get anywhere close to the levels produced by Haaland in recent times, he would be a phenomenal signing, having the chance to improve further given his tender age.