Barcelona's interest in Sesko only confirms Manchester United have a long-term striker

Barcelona’s reported interest in Benjamin Sesko has been met with bemusement at Manchester United, who regard the 23-year-old Slovenian striker as a cornerstone of their long-term plans and have no intention of entertaining a sale after his debut Premier League season.

Sesko arrived at Old Trafford last summer in a £73 million deal from RB Leipzig, with United moving quickly to fend off interest from Newcastle. Reports in Spain have since placed him on Barcelona’s shortlist as a successor to Robert Lewandowski at the Nou Camp, but the club’s position is straightforward: he is not for sale.

The links are, if anything, a validation of the recruitment call made by United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who pushed for Sesko over Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Watkins was viewed internally as a short-term fix; Sesko, still only 23, is seen as the long-term answer at centre-forward.

His first season was one of gradual integration rather than instant dominance. Sesko started just six of 17 Premier League games under head coach Michael Carrick before forcing his way into the side through a series of impactful substitute appearances. Carrick has spoken warmly about the striker’s work ethic and attitude throughout the campaign.

“Ben is making big improvements and a little bit is getting used to what it’s like to be here and the feelings and what it means to play,” Carrick said towards the end of the season. “He’s desperate to do well. He works so hard, he thinks about it an awful lot. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Carrick also highlighted the importance of the personal connection built with Sesko at the club’s Carrington training base. “Working closely with him and connecting with him, building that relationship and that trust — I think that’s important when you’re trying to help players individually and certainly as a team,” he added. “He’s a good player. That’s why he’s here.”

Sesko himself acknowledged the season was primarily about adaptation. Speaking near the end of the campaign, he said the focus had been on getting “used to the league” and that he felt himself improving steadily.

With Rasmus Hojlund having completed a permanent £38 million move to Napoli following a loan spell, the No. 9 shirt at Old Trafford is now vacant. Sesko is expected to inherit it next season — a symbolic step that reflects the growing confidence United have in him as their first-choice striker going forward. Barcelona’s admiration, it seems, only reinforces what the club already believes.