Man Utd discover Benjamin Sesko asking price after opening talks with RB Leipzig

Manchester United have made moves to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig but the German side could demand north of £70m for their striker as Ruben Amorim eyes a No 9

Manchester United could have to spend upwards of £70 million if they want to land Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig as talks are held over signing the striker. The Slovenian has now emerged as their main target in attack with Ruben Amorim still keen to land a No. 9 this summer if he can.

United have previously been linked with Sesko, back when he was at Red Bull Salzburg, and are now ready to come to the table again. Amorim has already seen Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrive at Old Trafford, but neither would ideally like to play through the middle as the team's focal point and would be better suited playing behind a natural striker, leading to their interest in Sesko.

Sources in Germany have indicated there is a gentlemen’s agreement between Leipzig and their young striker to let him leave for a fee of £60m to £70m plus add-ons  but only to select clubs. The German side have consistently shown they will part with their top players for the right fee and do not have the benefit of Champions League revenue this term.

Sesko has proven himself as a goalscorer and nobody in his age range has scored more goals in the past two seasons across Europe. United's fellow Premier League side Newcastle could still come to the party should Alexander Isak choose to move on.

Sesko was also the subject of serious interest from Arsenal earlier in the window before the north London club pivoted and went for Viktor Gyokeres instead. Despite United spending upwards of £130m, those in Manchester are confident they could still purchase the Leipzig man.

Amorim has made more firepower a priority following a season where United finished 15th and scored just 44 times. The club also looked at Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but the club insisted the England striker was not for sale and the Red Devils chose not to put in a bid.

They have sanctioned the loan exit of Marcus Rashford and none of the forward options who were present last year were at all prolific in the final third. Amorim has also cast doubt over the future of Rasmus Hojlund, who has continued to struggle in his two years with the club.

“I’m really happy with Rasmus,” said Amorim. “But I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market. The important thing is that the strikers who are here are working really well, they are improving, they are helping the team and that’s the most important thing.

“The important thing is that Rasmus is scoring goals. He's connecting really well with the team. He's improving. Again, I don't know what is going to happen until the market is closed. "