Sesko – Watkins – Openda transfer triangle

The transfer window started quite normally for RB Leipzig, but as we approach the final months of this window, they could end up losing three important players in a matter of days. The reason is – Premier League clubs. Leipzig is well known for developing players in order to re-sell them and they have done so very successfully, but always with a clear ‘what after’ plan, and they never looked to sell too many players in one window. But after six consecutive seasons, Leipzig will not play in the Champions League and they need to sell. But they couldn’t expect that there will be demand for three of their best players. And the most ironic thing is that one of them could leave only in case his teammates leaves too.

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Benjamin Sesko was always bound to leave, as he is the first striking star. Last season, he missed the opportunity to leave (on his own free will) but it’s all but settled now – he will play in the Premier League in September. For now, only two clubs remain interested in him – Manchester United and Newcastle. Chelsea is closing in on Xavi Simmons which was also surprising, considering the number of wingers they already have, and now a third name has appeared and that name is connected with Sesko – his teammate Lois Openda. So, add Ollie Watkins and we have a proper ‘love triangle’. But who is who and who is going where?

Lets start with Sesko. Manchester United surprised everybody with an interest in the Slovenian forward and there are two reasons for that. First of all, they signed Matheus Kunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined fee of 150 million euros and Sesko is worth around 80-90 million euros. Nobody knows how will they get money for that, since they are not playing Europe and even have to pay penalties to Adidas because of that. Secondly, they just bought two forwards and have two more which they can’ sell (Zirkzee and Hojlund), so Sesko would be the fifth one. But the reality is, the player is genuinely interested in the Amorim project and is closer to moving to Old Trafford than to Newcastle United, who is offering the same conditions and are in real need for a striker, especially if Alexander Isak leaves for Liverpool. Sesko is also a perfect example of United’s horrific transfer policy in year. In 2019, the Slovenian was offered to Manchester but their executives thought that three million pouns are too much for a youngster and RB Leipzig bought him for two million. The Red Devils also tried to lure him last season but he decided to stay in the club.

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So, where Ollie Watkins and Luis Openda fit in? Villa’s striker was also on United’s shortlist but the Villains have said that he is not for sale. Now their resilience will be put to test if United choose to pursue Watkins instead of Sesko. On one side is experienced English international who is 29 and on the other is a 22-years old future star who played only in Germany so far. But if United choose Watkins, Sesko will go to Newcastle and RB Leipzig will lose their second striker as Aston Villa is monitoring Lois Openda as the replacement for Watkins. Let's not forget Newcastle, who were also looking at Watkins and if Slovenian striker goes to Old Trafford, they might chose Villa striker instead.