The 2024 summer transfer window looks set to be dominated by strikers, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko one of many players being tracked by Europe’s elite.
The 20-year-old’s €50m (£42m) release clause makes him a fascinating prospect, not least because Leipzig are expected to be flexible when it comes to that clause. At a time in which financial rules have left the globe paralysed by fear, that could be massive for any suitor.
Here’s a look at Sesko’s potential destinations, ranked by fit.
Barcelona have been linked to countless players this summer, despite the fact they can’t afford to sign anybody, and that feels like the case with Sesko.
Camp Nou officials probably do like Sesko, who would actually make sense considering 35-year-old Robert Lewandowski isn’t getting any younger, but they’re not going to be able to compete for Sesko financially.
Fortunately for Barcelona, they do have Vitor Roque as the heir to Lewandowski’s throne. Time to hope he comes good.
Fit: 1/10
Liverpool have plenty of pressing matters as they prepare for Jurgen Klopp’s departure, but signing a new striker shouldn’t be one of them.
The Reds already have an expensive forward in Darwin Nunez, and while Sesko would make a very nice alternative, it seems like Liverpool need to be spending their money elsewhere.
A new centre-back is key and another midfielder wouldn’t hurt, and then there’s the little old question of potentially needing to replace Mohamed Salah if he is swayed by Saudi Arabia.
Fit: 2/10
We’re now entering the teams that actually need strikers this summer, but Sesko may not be the kind of player Manchester United are looking for.
When Rasmus Hojlund was struggling, the Red Devils were looking for a proven goalscorer with experience – Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was a target, for reference. Now the Dane is firing, however, there is more willingness to get a little creative with the next signing.
The problem with Sesko is that he is young, unproven in the Premier League and, effectively, just another Hojlund. It makes no sense to take another risk in attack.
Fit: 5/10
After Gabriel Jesus admitted scoring goals wasn’t his strength, Arsenal decided they wanted a new striker, and they joined the queue of suitors for Sesko.
Since then, however, Kai Havertz has stepped up and filled the void in attack, and now you wonder whether Arsenal actually need a new striker.
Spending nearly £50m on Sesko, who would either sit on the bench or force Mikel Arteta to drop £65m-man Havertz, doesn’t feel like a wise move.
Fit: 5/10
AC Milan are expected to lose top scorer Olivier Giroud this summer, and replacing him is not going to be easy.
Neither Luka Jovic nor Noah Okafor have shown enough to suggest they could lead the line for Milan, who are now on the hunt for another towering goalscorer.
Sesko is exactly the sort of player Milan should be looking at, but reports suggest their focus is now on Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, whose proven record of scoring in Serie A gives him an understandable advantage here.
Fit: 7/10
Kylian Mbappe’s imminent departure from Paris Saint-Germain will change a lot of things about the club, including who will lead the line in attack.
A turn towards younger players is on the agenda for PSG, who are also looking to avoid the big-money megastars that have defined the past decade at Ligue 1’s richest club, and few strikers meet the criteria better than Sesko.
The only problem for PSG is Sesko’s limited track record in a major league. After all, they’re trying to replace their all-time record goalscorer, so they can’t really afford to get this wrong.
Fit: 8/10
Chelsea need somebody to put the ball in the back of the net. That has been abundantly clear for years now but, for whatever reason, the problem hasn’t been solved.
Sure, they may want a proven goalscorer like Victor Osimhen, but Chelsea have shackled themselves by years of immense spending that probably should limit their spending this summer.
Sesko is half the price of Osimhen but has the potential to reach his level, and you just know that potential will have piqued the interest of Chelsea’s owners. Sesko fits the project perfectly, even though he is still a bit of a gamble.
Fit: 9/10
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