Manchester United asked to fork out £86 million for Bundesliga star as Red Devils look to solve striker issues: Reports

Manchester United have reportedly been asked to splash £86 million to lure Benjamin Sesko away from Bundesliga outfit RB Leizpig this year.

Sesko, 21, has established himself as one of the best young strikers in the world over the last year or so. He allegedly rejected interest from Arsenal and Chelsea and signed a deal until June 2029 at Leipzig last summer.

Now, according to The Sun, Manchester United are keen to rope in Sesko. Their scouts watched the Slovenian in action last weekend and the club are aiming to launch a move to sign the right-footed number nine.

However, Leipzig's recent demands are expected to derail the Red Devils' plans to sign Sesko. The German club are believed to be hoping to earn around £86 million from their striker's potential sale after this campaign.

Should Sesko secure a permanent move to Manchester United this term, he could prove to be a brilliant signing. He would start ahead of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in Ruben Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 setup.

So far this season, Sesko has made 40 total appearances for Leipzig. He has bagged 19 goals, including 11 Bundesliga strikes, and contributed six assists for his current club.

Pundit reveals he thought Manchester United star would be as good as Alan Shearer

Ahead of Manchester United's recent 5-4 UEFA Europa League last-eight home triumph over Olympique Lyonnais, Red Devils legend Paul Scholes opined on Rasmus Hojlund. He said on TNT Sports (h/t Metro):

"We've been saying it for ages. He needs that confidence and bit of luck but too many times, he's not in the right area of the pitch. The amount of times he's in his own half trying to help out defensively or in good areas but not getting the service. I remember when he first came. I thought we've got an Alan Shearer."

Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles as a player, continued:

"That's big words comparing him to Shearer but I thought he's a big centre forward, he's physical, he can run in behind, he loves getting on the end of crosses. But he doesn't get any crosses. The lad, he doesn't know what's coming because there's no rhythm to United's play. There's nothing to suit the way he wants to play football."

Hojlund, 22, has scored eight goals in 44 matches in all competitions for Manchester United this season. He has found the back of the opposition net just once for his club since mid-December.

The left-footed Denmark international's current deal will expire in 2028.