Manchester United and Newcastle warned Benjamin Sesko ‘won’t be prolific’

Benjamin Sesko won’t be a prolific scorer in the Premier League should he join Manchester United or Newcastle.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Andy Townsend, who has raised some doubts about the striker moving to England.

Man United and Newcastle are involved in a big-money battle to sign Sesko, with both teams submitting new bids this week.

The Red Devils are looking 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 in which he scored 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga games.

He also found the net another eight times in 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 isn’t sure that his scoring will continue in the Premier League should a move go through.

He assessed Sesko’s ability live on talkSPORT, saying: “The biggest thing about him to start with is that he’s 6’5”.

“But he’s not a 6’5” in the sense of a target man and just holding it up and knocking things back to people around him.

“He’s a very technical footballer, he looks very two-footed, his finishing ability…he has that technique to strike a ball very sweetly, not all strikers are blessed with that.”

“I don’t think he’s going to be the most prolific that we’ve seen on these shores,” he added.

“But if you look at his record in the Bundesliga, and all in with his European performances and cups, he’s 20+ each season. And he’s 22, so he’s a very young man. He certainly looks quick enough.

“How aggressive he is and how aggressive he needs to be [could be questioned], but he’s certainly very gifted technically.”

Townsed also pointed out another struggle he might face, depending on his role at his new club, looking at his hold-up play.

He continued: “One of the most disappointing things about him is that he doesn’t hold the ball up well enough.

“He’s quite a big boy, but he doesn’t hang on to it very well, he doesn’t seem to protect it and drop it off.”

How would Sesko fit in at Man United?

Should Man United win the battle to bring in Sesko, that issue of holding up play could come into question.

Rasmus Hojlund, whose future would be thrown into doubt should the Leipzig frontman sign, has had issues with leading the line.

The Dane has been criticised for his performances since signing in 2023 for a huge £72million from Atalanta.

One aspect of that has come from his lack of being able to hold up and link play with his teammates when up front.

So, with concerns raised about Sesko’s ability in the same field, could that be an issue for Man United?

Townsend has some doubts, but the thought of him connecting with summer arrivals Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha excites him.

“Sesko could play up top on his own because of his stature, you could also have someone alongside him,” Townsend added.

“You could have those two No.10s [either side of him], which Ruben Amorim likes 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 away as well, I think that bodes well for United.”

Meanwhile, at Newcastle, Sesko could also be the sole striker if he decides to join them instead of heading to Old Trafford.

Alexander Isak may end up departing should Sesko join, but it’s unknown whether Yoane Wissa may still arrive to partner him.