Slovenia boss sends Benjamin Sesko transfer message amid Man United links - 'Never go there'
Manchester United have previously been linked with a move for Benjamin Sesko but Arsenal look to be a more likely destination this summer
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has been advised to turn down a move to Saudi Arabia after previous interest from Manchester United.
The Manchester Evening News reported in July 2022 that then-Reds football director John Murtough had met with Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, to gauge the possibility of a transfer. However, he ended up moving from RB Salzburg to Leipzig a year later instead.
Sesko has gone on to score 39 goals across all competitions in 87 appearances for the Bundesliga side. The 22-year-old has since been strongly linked with a summer move to Arsenal, potentially leaving the door open for United to sign another Gunners' target in Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres.
However, according to German outlet BILD, the player's relationship with United's director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell could help them beat Arsenal to his signature. Vivell helped discover Sesko when he was RB Salzburg's head of scouting.
But the young forward has not only been attracting interest from the Premier League. Reports from The Daily Star on Tuesday claimed that Sesko had rejected a lucrative move to Al Hilal. The Middle Eastern club had reportedly identified the Slovenian in their search for a marquee forward to join Aleksandar Mitrovic in their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup this month.
And Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek has admitted it could be a mistake for Sesko to move to the Saudi Pro League club at such a young age.
"Benjamin Sesko and Saudi Arabia? I would advise him to never go there. At least not at his age," he said after Slovenia's 2-1 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
"This [the interest] is a great recognition, these are clubs that mean a lot. It's not that I underestimate the Saudi Arabia league, on the contrary, I worked there at Al Ittihad and the club is still a part of me.
"I also watch the league regularly but the time will come for Sesko for that. I am convinced that Benjamin himself and the people who care for him will be smart enough to find a solution.
"And that is for him to go somewhere where he can play football, because that is the only way he can be happy."
Sesko has missed both of Slovenia's friendly wins against Luxembourg and Bosnia this month as he recovers from a minor knee issue.
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