Real Madrid and Manchester United will reportedly have to shell out around €50 million for Benjamin Sesko after Red Bull Salzburg raised his price tag.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg have raised the price tag for Benjamin Sesko and will only let him leave in the summer transfer window if a suitor shells out €50 million for him. The teenage attacking prodigy is a target for Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Benjamin Sesko has gone from strength to strength since joining Red Bull Salzburg from NK Domzale nearly three years ago. The 19-year-old first had to make his way through the Austrian outfit’s farm club, FC Liefering before becoming a regular for Salzburg last season. And he has started the 2022/23 season strongly.
The Slovenian international has scored twice and provided one assist in three appearances thus far this season. Sesko’s performances have helped him earn comparisons to a certain Erling Haaland, who rose to prominence at the Austrian club before becoming a hot property in the market. And the teenage prodigy has captured the attention of Real Madrid and Manchester United, among others.
Real Madrid would ideally not sign another player in the summer transfer window, with Carlo Ancelotti recently iterating the same. But things have changed in the past week, with Borja Mayoral, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz facing uncertain futures at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sesko has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid if the Merengues look to sign a young striker before the summer transfer window shuts down. But the reigning La Liga champions face stiff competition from Manchester United in the race to sign the 19-year-old attacking prodigy.
Erik ten Hag’s attacking options are running thin following the departure of Edinson Cavani. And with Cristiano Ronaldo facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford, the Manchester United boss does not have a recognised striker at his disposal apart from the inconsistent Anthony Martial. Sesko has thus popped up on Manchester United’s radar.
Recent reports have also claimed that Manchester United will soon table an offer to test Red Bull Salzburg’s resolve. The Red Devils and Real Madrid now know how much it will take to sign the teenage sensation, with the Austrian giants raising his price tag to around €50 million.
Both clubs should be able to afford to shell out €50 million to sign Sesko, but it is unclear if their valuations are around the same figure. If both clubs table offers to sign the 19-year-old, he will likely prefer to join Real Madrid, leaving Manchester United with an uphill task in his pursuit.