(Football news) RB Leipzig are close to agreeing a deal with Red Bull Salzburg for their Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko in 2023. The 19-year-old has earned rave reviews for his performances in the Austrian league this season as he scored five times in the Bundesliga last season, and a number of top clubs around Europe have been extensively scouting him in recent months.

In late July Salzburg were standing firm with their intention to keep Sesko for at least one more season, as the youngster has attracted interest from Manchester United, Newcastle and Wolves, as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. However, it is Salzburg's sister club Leipzig who became the front runners to bringing Sesko to Germany as they continue their aggressive approach to the summer transfer market. They have already brought in Xaver Schlager and David Raum to strengthen their squad, while Timo Werner is also expected to return to the club following an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea.

The striker has become one of the most sought after teenagers in European football and has been on Manchester United’s radar for quite some time, but it looks like Erik ten Hag’s side will miss out on the 12-time Slovenia international. According to reports Salzburg did not want to sell for less than £55 million with United’s interest in Marko Arnautovic it may have been a direct result of Sesko opting to join Leipzig over the twenty-time league champions. Missing out on Sesko is yet another blow in Ten Hag’s transfer plans to rebuild a Manchester United side that desperately needs quality reinforcements in the forward line.

The former Ajax manager has now become accustomed to setbacks in his first transfer window at the helm and with his priority target Frenkie de Jong not joining him to Old Trafford as it looks like the panic is kicking in with 24 days of the summer transfer window remaining. Sesko, who already has two goals to his name this season, will now spend another season with the Austrian giants before making the move to Germany next year. The teenager’s career path looks to be following a similar path to Erling Haaland who made an instant impact for CIty scoring two goals on his Premier League debut. Manchester United missed out on the Norwegian superstar during his time with Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, and  look to have missed out on another burgeoning talent in Sesko.

Also read: Why are Manchester United and Chelsea interested in Benjamin Sesko?