Manchester United Gamble Again But Will £80m Šeško End the Striker Curse?

Manchester United have resumed their pursuit of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško, launching their fourth approach in six years for the Slovenian striker. With the transfer window nearing its final stretch, the club's continued preference for unproven potential over Premier League experience is once again in sharp focus.

Šeško, just 22, has emerged as United's top striking target this summer. Despite already spending £130m on forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, the club have made informal contact with Leipzig to study a deal that could cost upwards of £80 million. The move would add to a pattern of high-cost gambles on youth, following recent signings such as Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, neither of whom has yet delivered consistently at Old Trafford.

Familiar Strategy, Familiar Questions

The interest in Šeško closely mirrors the profiles of United's previous striking acquisitions. Like Højlund and Zirkzee, Šeško brings great potential, but lacks Premier League experience. Across two seasons in the Bundesliga, the 6ft 5in forward has scored 27 goals in 64 league games, and is currently the top scorer among players under 23 in Europe's top five leagues.

However, he has yet to prove he is consistent. His most recent campaign saw him net 13 league goals, one fewer than the previous season, despite playing nearly 900 additional minutes. Leipzig's poor form, including a mid-season managerial change and a disappointing Champions League run, partially explains the dip. But this does not remove doubts surrounding Šeško's readiness to lead the line for a club of United's stature.

United have pursued the Slovenian since 2019, when a move from NK Domžale fell through over a €2m fee. They returned in 2022, and again last summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Now, with competition from Newcastle United and the player valued between €80m–€90m, the stakes are much higher.

Watkins Unavailable, Alternatives Slim

Ollie Watkins was previously considered by United's recruitment team as a proven Premier League option. The 29-year-old England international, who remains under contract at Aston Villa, was seen as a more reliable short-term solution. However, Villa have firmly insisted he is not for sale, removing a ready-made striker from United's shortlist.

That leaves Šeško as the preferred, if costlier alternative. His physicality, speed and finishing have led to comparisons with Manchester City's Erling Haaland. But insiders acknowledge that Šeško is still developing. 'He's not the finished product yet', said Central European football expert Lukas Vrablik. 'But he's got the quality to play for one of Europe's best sides'.

United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously worked at both Salzburg and Leipzig, is said to be pushing for the transfer, leveraging his past experience with the player.

Pressure Mounts on Existing Forwards

The potential signing could cast further doubt on the future of Højlund, who has struggled since arriving from Atalanta in 2023. There is reported interest from Napoli and Juventus in the Danish international, while Zirkzee has openly admitted that both he and Højlund must improve.

'If another striker were to come, I guess it's only good competition', Zirkzee said. 'We can do better and have to do better'.

Both players managed just 17 goals between them last season. This is a tally that has fuelled United manager Ruben Amorim's demand for more firepower.

A Risky Pattern or Long-Term Vision?

The pursuit of Šeško underlines a broader transfer strategy, one that favours potential over Premier League pedigree. It's a calculated gamble, and one that Manchester United have taken before.

Šeško's current deal at Leipzig runs until 2029, but he is believed to have a verbal agreement allowing him to leave for a fee around £80m if an elite club comes forward. Despite his strong underlying metrics, including Bundesliga-leading aerial duels and top-end sprint speed, his ability to adapt to the Premier League remains untested.

What is certain, however, is that Manchester United are once again willing to pay a premium for potential. Whether this move finally breaks the cycle or continues a costly trend will depend on how quickly Šeško adjusts to English football, if the deal gets done.