Man Utd transfer target who rejected Erik ten Hag over 'style' drops hint on next club

The agent of Manchester United transfer target Benjamin Sesko has explained his client held talks over joining Milan but the striker “feels very good” at RB Leipzig.

The Slovenian frontman has been a target for United under several managers and initially under Ralf Rangnick. The current Austria national team boss recommended the forward to the recruitment team at the Red Devils during his stint as interim boss in 2022.

Sesko was with RB Salzburg at the time but ultimately stayed within the same network as clubs as he agreed to join German side RB Leipzig the following summer instead. However, United’s interest in the striker continued under current boss Erik ten Hag.

The striker, then a teenager, netted 29 goals across his two full seasons at Salzburg and was widely regarded as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe. He has hit the ground running in Leipzig, already racking up six goals for his new side this term.

Sesko has since admitted that there was interest from Old Trafford in him but Leipzig was a better fit on the pitch. “The thing is, I wasn't really involved in these kinds of conversations,” he admitted when asked about the Red Devils interest. “But I think it was better to come here.”

He added: “It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football. I already knew what I had to do and didn’t have to go through a whole learning process again.”

United were not the only side who held an interest in Sesko, with Paris Saint-Germain among those who had been monitoring his future. The striker’s agent Elvis Basanovic has now confirmed that talks had also been held with Milan over a possible switch.

"I can confirm that in the past I have spoken with Milan about Sesko, when (Paolo) Maldini was there," Basanovic told Sport Italia. "But at that moment the transfer was not possible, it wasn't the right time. In the future you never know: Milan is a great club. At the moment Sesko feels very good at Leipzig where he is continuing on his path."

It is unclear if the Red Devils will rekindle their interest in Sesko, who has nine international goals for Slovenia, in future transfer windows. They sealed the signing of Rasmus Hojlund this summer but with ongoing doubts over Anthony Martial’s future, they may seek to re-enter the market for a striker.