Chelsea's Bold Attempt to Secure Sesko Before United Move
Chelsea made an extraordinary attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko three years before his eventual £74 million transfer to Manchester United, offering the Slovenian striker "anything he wanted" to secure his signature. According to reports from The Sun, Chelsea's interest in Sesko was so intense during the summer of 2022 that they presented the then-teenager with a blank-check proposition to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
Early Premier League Interest in the Slovenian Prodigy
Sesko first caught the attention of Premier League giants after a breakout season with Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored 18 goals in his first full campaign. Manchester United's recruitment team, including head of recruitment Christopher Vivell—who was at Chelsea at the time—held talks with Sesko's representatives that summer. Vivell, familiar with Sesko from his own background with the Red Bull organization, admired the young forward's potential.
Despite concrete interest from both Chelsea and Manchester United, Sesko and his agent decided to reject the Premier League advances, believing it was too early for the striker to make such a significant move. Instead, Sesko opted to join RB Leipzig, Salzburg's sister club, where he continued his development in the Bundesliga. Over the next two seasons, he netted an impressive 39 goals, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe's most promising talents.
United's Persistent Pursuit and Eventual Signing
Manchester United maintained their interest in Sesko throughout his time at Leipzig, eventually sanctioning a massive £74 million deal to bring him to Old Trafford last summer. His initial months at United were challenging, with Sesko scoring only twice before Christmas, leading some pundits to question the club's investment.
However, Sesko's fortunes have dramatically improved since Michael Carrick took over as caretaker manager following Ruben Amorim's dismissal. The striker has scored eight goals under Carrick's guidance, including crucial injury-time winners against Fulham and West Ham, as well as decisive goals against Everton and Crystal Palace.
Neville's Praise for Sesko's Development
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has been particularly impressed with Sesko's recent form, describing him as a potential "game-changing" signing for the club. On his Sky Sports podcast, Neville highlighted Sesko's improved confidence and physical attributes, noting that his recent performances have transformed him into a key player for United.
"The goal from Benjamin Sesko is an absolute beauty," Neville said after Sesko's winner against Crystal Palace. "It's a brilliant header, a proper header. He's got confidence now, and he's scoring some brilliant goals. Michael Carrick has worked him into form, and that's a game-changer for Man United because they cannot have another centre-forward come to the club and fail."
Neville also emphasized how Sesko's emergence could allow United to focus on strengthening other areas of the squad, such as midfield and defense, rather than seeking additional attacking options. "If Carrick can get the best out of him, that means in the summer you can concentrate on other positions," Neville added. "Maybe now you can leave the attacking players because you've got Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo, Bruno, Amad, Mount—they will cause problems to any team."
The transformation under Carrick has not only boosted Sesko's value but also revitalized the entire squad, according to Neville. "Michael Carrick has doubled or trebled the value of the United squad from where they were under Ruben Amorim," he said. "He's made players that we doubted look like really good players. That will please the owners because there's been so much waste—it's a complete transformation."
This revelation about Chelsea's aggressive pursuit underscores the high stakes involved in securing top young talent in modern football, with Sesko's journey from rejected offers to becoming a key figure at Manchester United highlighting the importance of patience and strategic development in player careers.
