- Barcelona were previously interested in Sesko
- No longer pursuing deal
- Catalan club looking for Lewandowski’s successor
La Liga giants FC Barcelona have reportedly ruled out making a move for Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan side were previously interested in the striker. However, they will not be formally reviving their interest in the Slovenian star. The Spanish outlet is regarded as one of the most highly regarded newspapers in the Catalan press.
The La Liga side currently have Marcus Rashford on loan from the Red Devils. There is some uncertainty about whether he will be signed permanently. An option to buy is available for around £26m. Whilst Rashford’s fate won’t be decided until this summer, it is a given that Sesko will not be joining him at Camp Nou.
Barca Drop Sesko Interest
Last summer, SPORT reported that the hierarchy at Barcelona viewed Sesko as a potential target to replace Robert Lewandowski in the starting striker position. However, they opted to delay their interest until the summer of 2026, which proved costly by then. United had already swooped for their man as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who joined Napoli.
Instead, Barca opted to replace Marc-Andre ten Stegen in goal with Joan Garcia. Even though that move worked out well for the club, given Garcia’s performances, they are left rueing the missed chance to sign Sesko.
The former RB Leipzig striker joined United for a fee of around £73.7m. This summer, Barcelona’s priorities will be to replace Lewandowski and recruit a left-sided centre-back. It is now understood that they will not be looking to try and swoop at Manchester United’s expense for that.
Sesko’s debut season
The Slovenian has made 26 Premier League appearances in his debut season. He has come off the bench in exactly half of those games, but has an impressive return of 9 goals. He currently sits third in combined goals and assist combinations for United this season with 10. Only Bruno Fernandes (24) and Bryan Mbuemo (12) are ahead.
His goals from the bench, often match-winning ones, have earned him the label of a ‘super sub’ from fans and the media alike. However, his agent Elvis Basanovic recently dismissed this tag. Nevertheless, it is a massive difference to how Sesko started the season under Ruben Amorim. He was struggling for goals and confidence, just as Hojlund did last season – albeit to a lesser degree.
Even though Sesko has enjoyed a new lease of life under current boss Michael Carrick, he is still competing for a starting spot. Bryan Mbuemo has been preferred despite the number nine role not being his preferred position. The Cameroonian has struggled in front of goal in recent games, which may signal a change in the starting lineup when the Red Devils host Leeds United on 13 April.
Although it may not be a priority this summer, United do need an out-and-out backup striker to play alongside Sesko in the long term. However, both Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha are capable of leading the line also.
