Why signing Sesko could keep Ronaldo at Man Utd
Ben Jacobs
- 3 Aug 2022 14:25 BST
- 4 min read
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Cristiano Ronaldo may be keener to stay with Manchester United if they sign Benjamin Sesko from Red Bull Salzburg, CSB Sports reporter Ben Jacobs writes for FootballTransfers as he unpacks the latest on the transfer of the Slovenia international striker.
Sesko is a player that is a hot property in Europe. Manchester United have been looking at him for quite some time. This is what top teams do – they don’t just scout players in one window but in a series of windows. He is one name with growing links.
Erik ten Hag wants to sign a striker regardless of the Ronaldo situation, but it becomes urgent because of the Ronaldo situation. That’s why Sekso is one name being mentioned. Stuttgart striker Sasa Kaladjzic is another one as one. But remember, Man Utd’s urgency for a striker is because Edinson Cavani has left and it’s still very, very unclear whether Mason Greenwood will ever play for the football club too – and quite right until that situation is resolved.
Sesko has grown over recent days – he’s only ever scored 13 goals in 41 appearances for Salzburg– but he’s a top, top talent. With Kaladjzic, he’s a big focal point who is excellent in the air. He’s 6ft 7in, so he’d end up being one of the tallest forwards in the top flight. He got 24 goals for Stuttgart in just under 60 games – that’s a pretty decent scoring record as well. Those are the two that Manchester United will turn their focus on. And that’s what they need.
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Ronaldo wants Man Utd support
That will reassure Ronaldo if he stays. Manchester United need someone to support him. Ronaldo’s desire to leave isn’t only because he wants to play Champions League football, it’s having all of the burden on his shoulders.
Christian Eriksen joining would help, Bruno Fernandes having a good season, too, but because Anthony Martial, who may be able to reinvent himself, hasn’t provided that support, Mason Greenwood isn’t there and Edinson Cavani has left, Ronaldo is looking at who’s going to help him to challenge for titles.
In a World Cup year with a high volume of games, Ronaldo can’t play all the time, and if he’s only going to play in the big games or if his minutes are going to be managed, particularly in the first half of the season as we build up to the World Cup, Manchester United have to factor that in.
That’s why a player like Sesko is being considered. And in an ideal world – and that’s been the challenge – Man Utd would buy Antony from Ajax too. In that plan is to sign a striker regardless of what happens with Ronaldo, but urgency will be needed if he leaves.
Sesko stumbling block
Sesko is certainly one to watch. The problem will be the fee that Salzburg will demand. Talking to sources, I believe around that €50m and maybe even more than that.
But you can see from both names I’ve mentioned, they’re both big strikers. Ronaldo is about intricate play around the box, clinical finishing, movement into the box and link-up play, with Sesko, he’s much more of a focal point, who’s good with his head but is still quite deft with his feet. The battle with him is the price and that Salzburg would only wish to sell in 2023.
Read more about: Premier League, Bundesliga, Man Utd, RB Salzburg, Benjamin Sesko, Cristiano Ronaldo
