Man Utd perform Ollie Watkins U-turn and draw up Benjamin Sesko transfer plan

Manchester United have made a breakthrough in their bid to sign a striker - with a move for Benjamin Sesko edging closer.

United have been exploring deals for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig forward Sesko as they look for a proven goalscorer to lead their attack.

United are understood to have opened informal talks with Leipzig with regard to Sesko, although no bid has yet been tabled.

Watkins was United's preferred option, given he has Premier League experience, a policy United decided upon this summer in their recruitment, as evidenced by the signings of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

But Villa's £60million valuation of 29-year-old Watkins has proved a stumbling block to any deal being agreed for the England star, with 22-year-old Sesko seen as a more viable option given his age - even though he will cost a similar fee.

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Yet United face competition for Sesko, with Newcastle also wanting the Slovenia international to replace Alexander Isak if the £150m-rated Toon striker moves to Liverpool.

Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig and 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia, with United boss Ruben Amorim desperate for a prolific striker to solve his scoring crisis.

United managed just 44 goals in the Premier League last season, with current strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee not able to score consistently enough to warrant leading the attack.

It is understood United approached Villa about Watkins, but were only willing to pay in the region of £45m for him and saw their initial approach rebuffed as it fell way short of their valuation.

Sources in Germany have indicated there is a gentlemen’s agreement between Leipzig and Sesko to let him leave for a fee of £60m to £70m plus add-ons - but only to select clubs.

Sesko has been on United's radar for some time and their director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, could play a key role, having worked at Leipzig and the striker's former club, RB Salzburg.

United had originally hoped to sign Liam Delap this summer, but the Ipswich striker moved to Chelsea instead. A number of other strikers have been considered, but Isak and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson were deemed too expensive.

Newcastle will still hope they can persuade Sesko to move to Tyneside if Isak leaves after speaking to Leipzig and the player’s camp.

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