Man Utd’s perfect Benjamin Sesko alternative is obvious after terrorising Ruben Amorim’s defence
Man Utd should turn their attention to a former Chelsea target as they bid to solve their striker crisis
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is running out of time to sign a clinical centre forward before the start of the 2025/26 season.
The Red Devils have so far splashed out over £100m on attacking reinforcements after activating Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause at Wolves and signing Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo in a deal worth up to £71m.
Both are capable of playing as makeshift centre forwards but have proven throughout their career that they operate best as either a No.10 as we’ve seen with Cunha at Wolves or on the right side of attack in the case of Mbeumo at Brentford.
It means United are stacked with creative options behind the striker with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo also in the mix. But as it stands the club have a shortage of strikers heading into the season with only Rasmus Hoijlund and Joshua Zirkzee currently in contention.
Why Man Utd should target Samu Aghehowa
Manchester World understands that United are no longer expected to make an approach for Benjamin Sesko. The Red Devils were heavily linked with the RB Leipzig frontman but it now appears that Newcastle United have jumped ahead of them in that particular race as they weigh up potential replacements for Alexander Isak after it was reported that he was wanting to ‘explore options’ elsewhere.
United have already missed out on Hugo Ekitike after his £79m move to Liverpool while former Ruben Amorim favourite Victor Gyokeres is edging closer to a move to Arsenal from Sporting CP. It’s also looking increasingly unlikely that the Old Trafford outfit will be able to prise Ollie Watkins away from Villa Park with the Lions board stating the 29-year-old is simply not for sale.
United’s current front two of Rasmus Hoijlund and Joshua Zirkzee only scored seven league goals between them last term, highlighting the need for more quality in that area.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of a goalscorer and could perhaps turn their attention to a rising Spanish international in Samu Aghehowa, just 12 months on from his failed move to Chelsea. Caught Offside has previously stated that United are one of the club willing to ‘battle it out’ for the forward but they are unlikely to pay his £84m release clause and would be looking to get his price tag to a more affordable level.
Why Samu Aghehowa could be a good fit for Man Utd
After emerging through the academy at Greneda, Samu Aghehowa caught the attention of Atletico Madrid and completed a transfer to the Spanish capital in 2023.He never actually got the chance to play for Diego Simeone’s side and spent the entirety of his first year on loan at Alaves before eventually making the move to Portugal and it’s fair to say that he hasn’t looked back since.
Aghehowa boasts a goal record of 27 in 45 matches for FC Porto, making him the joint second highest goalscorer in the division and already one of the most feared young strikers on the planet.
United saw first hand just what the 21-year-old was capable of when he scored twice against them earlier in the season in the Europa League. His first strike saw him pull away from Mathijis de Ligt to head home a cross aimed at the front post while his second goal saw him burst into the penalty area away from the former Ajax defender before smashing in a shot from close distance.
Aghehowa has proven throughout the campaign that he can score a variety of different goals, he’s quick, strong, is blessed with excellent movement and is clinical in the final third.
According to former Atlético Madrid scout Javier Vidales, via The Real Chelsea fans, Aghehowa is "more than just a strong striker who holds up play and distributes the ball". He sees Aghehowa as playing the "role of two attackers: a target man who occupies defenders and a mobile forward who finds space. If defenders close down the spaces, he acts as a traditional No.9; if they block him, he adapts to exploit openings.”
It’s clear to see why Chelsea were so keen to sign him before that particular move broke down last summer. And it’s even clearer why United should be looking to up the ante on their pursuit of him in the final month of the window.