Ruben Amorim gave a cautious response and chose to praise Rasmus Hojlund when asked about the possibility of Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko.
The United boss was in a buoyant mood as he addressed the media having justwatched his new-look side canter to an impressive 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago.
After the embarrassment of his maiden campaign at the helm, it is imperative the Red Devils get off to a good start this time around and an uplifting pre-season would certainly lift the mood inside Old Trafford.
To that end, the convincing win over Bournemouth represented a step in the right direction, particularly for Hojlund who got on the scoresheet once and may well have had a claim for a second which was credited to Amad Diallo.
The Denmark international has been linked with a move back to Italy this summer having failed to convince since his £72m arrival from Atalanta two years ago.
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United are in the market for a new striker and have firmly turned their attentions to Benjamin Sesko who has emerged as their No.1 target.
The Slovenia international was heavily linked to Arsenal earlier this summer, but the Gunners turned their attention to signing Viktor Gyokeres instead after growing frustrated with RB Leipzig.
United, however, appear to be in pole position to sign the 22-year-old with Newcastle now apparently out of the running and Sesko harbouring little desire to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Leipzig are understood to want €75m guaranteed plus add-ons and percentage of a future sale. Talks are expected to continue in the coming days but for now Amorim insists he is happy with what he has at his disposal following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
‘No,’ said Amorim bluntly when asked for an update on Sesko’s potential transfer. ‘The important thing is Rasmus is scoring goals and connecting really well with the team.’
‘He’s improving. So again, I don’t know what is going to happen until the market is closed.
‘I’m really happy with what is happening with the players we had last season, they are improving.
Expert analysis: Benjamin Sesko
It was quite a tough season for Leipzig, which forced them to change coach after a disappointing Champions League campaign. They’ve been struggling, which reflects on his output, but he was still one of their best and most consistent players.
Sesko’s strengths are certainly his physicality and speed – he’s great at making dangerous runs in behind defences, but he’s also a very clinical and instinctive finisher, especially when the ball drops to him in the area. His work rate is good and he’s a willing runner off the ball as well.
His hold-up play is quite strong, but I think his link-up play is a side of his game that he can still improve. It’s not that he’s bad at that side of the game, but compared to someone like Kai Havertz, he’s not at that level. In particular, his passing will need to get a lot better.
But during his young career, he’s shown he can take those steps forward. His mentality is definitely a strength – he’s a player who wants to learn and wants to improve so in that sense he will be a quick learner.
Rune Gjerulff, German football expert and editor of Bulinews
‘We look like a different team today let’s continue with that. I’m really happy with Bryan and Matheus.
‘Even Diego you can see he’s a smart guy for a guy who came from Paraguay to the Premier League it’s a really powerful player I’m really happy with these three guys.’
On Hojlund’s future should Sesko join before the deadline, he added: ‘I’m really happy with Rasmus, I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the market.
‘The important thing is the strikers who are here are working hard they are improving and helping the team. That is the most important thing.
‘The important thing is people focus on the goals, we suffered from a lack of goals but I think not just the goals but the way he connects the play.
‘Every time we kick the ball when we are pressed, the ability of him to hold the ball and connect the support is helping us a lot to play better. And we are playing better because he is playing better.’