Man United set to ‘move’ for £40m Top Arsenal striker target as upgrade to new summer signing tipped for shock January loan exit -Report

Man United set to ‘move’ for £40m Top Arsenal striker target as upgrade to new summer signing tipped for shock January loan exit -Report

According to reports, Joshua Zirkzee could be loaned out to make room for a far more potent Arsenal target.

Both Man Utd and Arsenal sought to sign new strikers over the summer. The Red Devils landed Joshua Zirkzee when paying Bologna £36.5m, though the Gunners wound up empty-handed.

Among the strikers Mikel Arteta’s side did explore signing was RB Leipzig hotshot, Benjamin Sesko. However, the Slovenian elected to sign a new contract with Leipzig that also removed his £55m release clause.

Sesko’s new deal does contain a ‘gentleman’s agreement’, however, with Fabrizio Romano revealing Leipzig won’t stand in Sesko’s way of a transfer in 2025 or 2026.

And according to a fresh update from TuttoMercatoWeb, Man Utd are sizing up Sesko in 2025 in a move that would have consequences for Zirkzee.

They state Man Utd are ‘moving’ on Sesko who if arriving, would prompt United to explore exit opportunities for Zirkzee.

Man Utd are by no means finished with Zirkzee, with TMW adding the Dutch striker could be loaned back to Serie A by way of Juventus rather than sold outright.

Sesko a clear upgrade on struggling Zirkzee
Zirkzee has endured a slow start to life at Old Trafford, scoring just one goal and providing zero assists across 11 appearances.

Both he and Rasmus Hojlund – who appears to be favoured by Erik ten Hag – can only play up front. The arrival of Sesko would give United three options for one position, hence the suggestions Zirkzee would be the fall guy and loaned out.

Sesko, 21, has returned figures of nine goal contributions in 10 matches for Leipzig this year. That includes three goals in two games in the Champions League against top tier opposition (Atletico Madrid and Juventus).

Sesko would appear to represent an upgrade on both Hojlund and Zirkzee, though he’s not likely to come cheap.

The striker is contracted to Leipzig until 2029, thus putting the Bundesliga powerhouse in a strong position.

TEAMtalk understands a new release clause was inserted into his deal upon penning fresh terms in June, though at what price point it’s set it is a closely guarded secret.

Nonetheless, the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ forged between the player and club last summer could offer Man Utd a route to the transfer. It’s our understanding that Arsenal would remain a firm fixture in any race to sign Sesko.