Manchester United has set its sights on several Barcelona players during this transfer window. Names like Gavi, Fermín López, or Marc Casadó have appeared in its reports, generating constant rumors in the English and Catalan press. However, the Old Trafford club was quietly working on another target, one that was also on Deco and Hansi Flick's agenda.
For weeks, in the halls of Camp Nou, people had spoken about this footballer as a possible addition. The coaching staff believed he fit perfectly into the team's playing style and that he would provide a significant boost in quality. His youth and potential made him a strategic bet for the coming seasons.
Barça had him on its radar
This summer has been especially busy for Barça. Among the arrivals of Rashford, Joan García, and Roony Bardghji, the sporting management was also working on finding a striker who could alternate the starting position with Robert Lewandowski. Hansi Flick wanted a fast profile, with a dominant physique and the ability to decide matches in demanding scenarios.
The player in question met all those characteristics. In the technical department, there was a conviction that, with an adaptation period, he could become a key asset for the club. Nevertheless, Barça's complex financial situation forced it to prioritize other operations, leaving this signing in the background.
Meanwhile, Manchester United was carefully studying the situation. Aware that Barça didn't have immediate room to close the deal, it accelerated contacts and presented a proposal that was hard to match in Barcelona.
Old Trafford moves ahead in the race
United's sporting project, along with its financial muscle, ended up tipping the balance in its favor. The player viewed the possibility of competing in the Premier League favorably, where his role would be immediate. In addition, coach Erik ten Hag offered him a central role in his system, with the promise of continuity and minutes from the start.
In Barcelona, although there was genuine interest, they couldn't guarantee that starting position in the short term. Flick's plan was to integrate him gradually, giving him minutes in rotations and in competitions like the Copa del Rey or the Champions League in less demanding stages. That difference in role proved decisive for the footballer's final decision.
The negotiations were closed quickly. The financial figure, which at Barça was considered high, was accepted without issue by United, which was looking for a young striker with international potential.
A missed opportunity for Barça
The confirmation of the signing has caused some disappointment in the Barça environment. Although it wasn't a priority move, it was on the list of possible medium-term reinforcements. In the sporting management, there is a feeling that an important opportunity to strengthen the attack strategically has been lost.
Finally, the mystery was solved: the player in question is Benjamin Sesko, a 22-year-old Slovenian striker who played for RB Leipzig. His signing for United is a blow to Barcelona's planning, as he was seen as one of the few young strikers capable of delivering immediate performance and a great margin for growth.
Sesko, due to his imposing physique and goal-scoring ability, fit perfectly as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. However, the financial power of the Premier League and Ten Hag's sporting offer outweighed the Barça proposal.
At Barça, now, the search for a reliable striker continues. Sesko is already a United player and the board will have to explore new options to strengthen a key position for the upcoming season.