Forget Nicolas Jackson: Manchester United should sign £62m ex-Arsenal target who wants Old Trafford move
Manchester United have a reported interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson this summer.
Ruben Amorim’s top priority for the rest of the summer window should be the striker position. Considering that Rasmus Hojlund netted just four goals last season in the Premier League, the Red Devils are in need of more firepower up front.
They lost out on Liam Delap, who went to Chelsea, and Viktor Gyokeres, who went to Arsenal. However, one of the most recent transfer targets linked to United is Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. His future is uncertain after the Blues added Joao Pedro from Brighton.
According to Caught Offside, Chelsea have set a price tag of £43m for Jackson, with Barcelona reportedly leading the race for him, ahead of Man United, but would the Senegalese striker be the right signing for Ruben Amorim?
Man United should sign Benjamin Sekso over Nicolas Jackson
Let’s start off by saying that this isn’t some argument suggesting that Jackson would be a bad signing for United. The Chelsea star played well under Enzo Maresca last season; He scored 10 goals, and provided five assists in the Premier League.
Furthermore, Jackson’s price of £43m, makes him a cheaper alternative compared to some of Man United’s other targets, however, there is a better option. RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal earlier in the window, but the Gunners opted for Gyokeres instead.
Reports have now said that United want to sign Sesko, who has a £62m release clause. It is understood that they are battling Newcastle to land the 22-year-old, but the Slovenian striker reportedly prefers a move to Old Trafford, despite Newcastle having Champions League football.
Last year, Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig, and plays as more of a target man striker, which is exactly what United need. The likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes will be able to provide Sesko with the service, and as a pure number nine, he would fit much better than Jackson.
Plus, with Sesko being just 22, he could grow into a world-class striker, whereas it feels as though Jackson doesn’t have quite as high a potential as Sesko does. He would cost £19m more, and seeing as United will need to make a sale anyway to afford Jackson, they may as well go all out and get Sesko, despite him being more expensive.
Who else could Man United sign up front?
The other more expensive option for United to sign is Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who is expected to command a fee of around £60m. Watkins was excellent again last year, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists in the Premier League.
However, Villa don’t need to sell him, and it isn’t understood whether the England international would swap European football at Villa Park for a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Cheaper options include former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. He is much older, but also more experienced, and could be the best option in terms of mentoring Rasmus Hojlund to get better, something that Amorim may also want to focus on.