Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their quest to sign a star striker this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund endured a difficult campaign last season, scoring just four Premier League goals as United staggered to a 15th-place finish.
Ruben Amorim is hoping to upgrade from the Dane this summer as part of a thorough squad overhaul, and has now taken a step closer to securing a deal for key target Benjamin Sesko.
United have been linked with the 22-year-old Slovenia international for some time, but were not thought to be frontrunners after Arsenal agreed personal terms with the player earlier this summer.
But the Gunners have since dropped out of the race, having since decided to prioritise a move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, which is set to be completed in the coming days.
With the Gunners’ interest now withdrawn, RB Leipzig have reportedly slashed their asking price.
Earlier in the window, Leipzig were hoping to land a fee between £68m and £85m for the player, who hit 13 Bundesliga goals last season.
That price has dropped, however, with offers of £60.6m (€70m) now considered viable.
United’s head of scouting, Christopher Vivell, is set to play a key role in negotiations. The German worked at Leipzig for two years before joining Chelsea and maintains connections with the club.
BILD add that he is supporting the deal after scouting Sesko personally, having travelled to Germany to watch him play earlier this year.
United have already invested heavily in their attack this summer, adding Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha for a combined £133.5m, including add-ons.
But with Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona on loan and Rasmus Hojlund also tipped to depart, a striker could prove an important signing.
United will not rush into a deal, however, amid reports from the Daily Mail claiming the club’s hierarchy are braced to enter the new Premier League season without signing a centre-forward.
