Manchester United’s search for a new striker has been narrowed down to two names after giving up on a deal to sign Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
The Red Devils have already recruited Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer but want to bring in another attacker before the new season.
United had been interested in signing Jackson from Chelsea but have ruled out a summer move due to his price tag, The Athletic have reported.
It was previously thought that £50m would be enough but Chelsea are now demanding £80m for the Senegal international, according to iNews.
Man Utd want Watkins or Sesko
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After walking away from a deal to sign Jackson, United are now focused on two other alternative targets – Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
Watkins produced 16 goals and eight assists across 38 Premier League games for Aston Villa last season and has plenty of top-flight experience.
Sesko has never played in England but the RB Leipzig forward has far more potential – given the 22-year-old is seven years younger than Watkins.
United have already contacted both Villa and Leipzig over how much each player will cost and have not yet made a final decision on who to prioritise.
It’s thought United may have to offload a player before signing Watkins or Sesko, such as Alejandro Garnacho and Antony, who are both up for sale.
United are willing to pay up to £45m for Watkins – but Sesko would be notably more expensive in the region of €80m-€90m (£69m to £78m).
Sesko wants Man Utd over Newcastle
Ruben Amorim’s side face a battle with Newcastle United to land Sesko this summer if they decide to prioritise a move for him instead of Watkins.
The Magpies have placed the Slovenian at the top of their list to replace Alexander Isak, who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.
There is good news for the Red Devils, though, with German outlet Leipziger Volkszeitung reporting that Sesko would prefer a move to Old Trafford than St James’ Park.
Ferdinand urges Man Utd to sign Watkins
Meanwhile, legendary former United defender Rio Ferdinand is adamant that the club should sign Watkins instead of Sesko.
While the Englishman may have less resale value than Sesko, and possibly less time at the top level, he is Premier League proven, which Amorim confirmed was a factor in United’s decision to sign Cunha and Mbeumo.
‘We need someone with experience who the other centre forwards look at and go, ‘that’s a bit of me’, without any doubts,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
‘Ollie Watkins says that, Premier League proven, played in the Champions League last year as well, has done his thing consistently for a while, international, plays for England as well. He ticks all the boxes.
‘He’s 29-years-old, there’s no sell-on value, it’s purely to have an impact immediately over the next two or three years which I think Ollie Watkins can have in a good way on the centre forwards who are there. He would be great right now as well.
‘That front three if you played Ollie Watkins, [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha and you can mix that in with Amad, [Mason] Mount, whoever, that’s a hard day’s work for opposing defence on most days.’