Man United next striker transfer verdict delivered

Benjamin Sesko 'risk', Ollie Watkins stance - Man United next striker transfer verdict delivered

Manchester United are looking into a move for either RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko or Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins in the summer transfer window

Manchester United are interested in a summer move for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United are in desperate need of a new striker as they weigh up a move for Ollie Watkins or Benjamin Sesko this summer.

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The Reds are in dire need of a reliable goalscorer, having scored a mere 44 goals in the top-flight last season, their lowest tally in the Premier League era. After splashing out on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the current transfer window, United will need to offload players to fund further purchases.

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And the Reds have identified Aston Villa's Watkins as their preferred target but the 22-year-old RB Leipzig frontman Sesko is also under consideration as they approach the final four weeks of the transfer window.

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Below, writers at The Manchester Evening News have had their say on which of the two strikers United should look at.

Isaac Seelochan

Sesko probably has more potential but will almost certainly be more expensive. With United also needing a new midfielder - Watkins is the better option for where the Reds currently are.

United have no European football and are poised for another transition season, so he is the perfect short-term solution for Ruben Amorim.

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Villa's striker might not take United to their ultimate aim of a league title or Champions League win, but he's the perfect stepping stone for where they currently are.

Kieran Horn

Considering how United have already operated in this summer's transfer window, it would certainly make more sense for the Premier League proven striker to be signed.

Going all-in for Sesko would be somewhat of a risk as he is still somewhat raw but his potential appears limitless. In Watkins, it is very clear that for the next four to five years, a consistent goal-scorer would be coming into the club but beyond that, it seems likely a new striker would have to come in.

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Despite the RB Leipzig forward having the tools to potentially be United's main man for the next decade or so, United are really not in a position to take a risk on another young striker and therefore it makes much more sense to make a move for Watkins.

Amie Wilson

In this situation you would usually see me opt for the proven Premier League player, but I’m going to take a different stance here.

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I think Sesko would be the better signing for United, and while he will probably be more expensive it’s a more long-term solution to the striker conundrum currently plaguing United.

A price of £45 million has been mentioned for Watkins, while Sesko would cost around £69 million. Although still in his prime, Watkins is 30 this year. Sesko, on the other hand, is just 22-years-old and has the potential to be a long-term solution for United.

Spending out on Watkins now could mean that maybe in three years, United face another search and therefore another big transfer fee.

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While it is more of a risk, spending bigger now on Sesko could offer a longer-term solution for Ruben Amorim that the club could be thankful for over the next few years.

James Quinlan

There was a time when United would have been able to pluck both of these players from their clubs with relative ease. If they have to only settle for one, they have to look at who is the most likely to bring them success at a faster rate.

Watkins stands out, therefore, as the senior option with a track record of deadly Premier League performances. He would be able to hit the ground running with Cunha and Mbeumo operating in support.

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Though there must be caution taken at the same time. Watkins is 29 so if Villa do demand too high a fee, United must have their own threshold in mind to say to themselves that it would be more financially viable to turn to Sesko instead and make him their long-term striker project in this Amorim team.

Matthew Abbott

I simply can't see how United can afford to sign Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal backing out of negotiations with RB Leipzig, despite the Slovenia international being their preferred target, says it all.

The Gunners turning their attention to Viktor Gyokeres should speak volumes about how attainable Sesko is this summer. I can't see Leipzig agreeing to a favourable deal financially like Wolverhampton Wanderers did for Matheus Cunha.

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As such, of the two, seemingly only one option exists given the financial situation United find themselves in, especially after their outlay on Bryan Mbeumo. Ollie Watkins would presumably be available at a lower price, but arguably worse value due to the difference in age between the two strikers.

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