Benjamin Sesko won’t be a prolific scorer within the Premier League should he join Manchester United or Newcastle.
That is in keeping with talkSPORT’s Andy Townsend, who has raised some doubts in regards to the striker moving to England.
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Man United and Newcastle are involved in a big-money battle to sign Sesko, with each teams submitting recent bids this week.
The Red Devils want to hijack their Premier League rivals’ pursuit, offering an initial £65.1m plus £8.7m in add-ons.
That followed Newcastle’s club record £70m plus add-ons bid.
Sesko has been chased throughout the summer following a season wherein he scored 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga games.
He also found the web one other eight times within the Champions League and German Cup, taking his overall tally to 21 goals.
In two years in Germany, he’s netted 27 times in 64 appearances and scored 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig in all competitions.
But former Chelsea midfielder Townsend is not sure that his scoring will proceed within the Premier League should a move undergo.
He assessed Sesko’s ability live to tell the tale talkSPORT, saying: “The most important thing about him to begin with is that he’s 6’5”.
“But he is not a 6’5” within the sense of a goal man and just holding it up and knocking things back to people around him.
“He’s a really technical footballer, he looks very two-footed, his ending ability…he has that technique to strike a ball very sweetly, not all strikers are blessed with that.”
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“I do not think he will be probably the most prolific that we have seen on these shores,” he added.
“But for those who have a look at his record within the Bundesliga, and all in along with his European performances and cups, he’s 20+ each season. And he’s 22, so he’s a really young man. He actually looks quick enough.
“How aggressive he’s and the way aggressive he must be [could be questioned], but he’s actually very gifted technically.”
Townsed also identified one other struggle he might face, depending on his role at his recent club, his hold-up play.
He continued: “Probably the most disappointing things about him is that he doesn’t hold the ball up well enough.
“He’s quite an enormous boy, but he doesn’t hang on to it thoroughly, he doesn’t seem to guard it and drop it off.”
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How would Sesko slot in at Man United?
Should Man United win the battle to usher in Sesko, that issue of holding up play could come into query.
Rasmus Hojlund, whose future could be thrown into doubt should the Leipzig frontman sign, has had issues with leading the road.
The Dane has been criticised for his performances since signing in 2023 for an enormous £72million from Atalanta.
One aspect of that has come from his lack of with the ability to delay and link play along with his teammates when up front.
So, with concerns raised about Sesko’s ability in the identical field, could that be a problem for Man United?
Townsend has some doubts, however the considered him connecting with summer arrivals Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha excites him.
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“Sesko could play up top on his own due to his stature, you may even have someone alongside him,” Townsend added.
“You might have those two No.10s [either side of him], which Ruben Amorim likes along with his back-three system.
“I do see it as being very exciting for United if he’s up there with Mbeumo and Cunha in and around him.
“Hopefully, a revitalised Mason Mount not too far-off as well, I feel that bodes well for United.”
Meanwhile, at Newcastle, Sesko may be the only striker if he decides to affix them as a substitute of heading to Old Trafford.
Alexander Isak may find yourself departing should Sesko join, nevertheless it’s unknown whether Yoane Wissa should still arrive to partner him.