Manchester United have moved decisively to prioritize RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško in their search for a new striker this summer. Initially, the club’s shortlist included Šeško and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but recent reports from The Athletic indicate that Šeško is now the sole focus of their negotiations.

The 22-year-old Slovenian striker had previously been viewed as requiring further development and did not meet Leipzig’s €75 million asking price. However, circumstances involving Alexander Isak have altered the landscape.

Newcastle United’s interest in Šeško emerged after Isak’s potential exit from St. James’s Park put their pursuit of the striker in jeopardy. Consequently, United has accelerated talks with Leipzig to secure Šeško before Newcastle can respond.

The Daily Mail has reported a pessimistic stance from Newcastle, who now consider it likely that Šeško will join Manchester United. This has led Newcastle to continually reassess alternative striker options, with names such as Liam Delap, João Pedro, Hugo Ekitiké, Yoane Wissa, and most recently Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, fluctuating in their plans.

The focus for Manchester United on Šeško reflects a strategic decision to strengthen their forward options promptly amid a competitive transfer window.

Manchester United’s veteran left-back, Luke Shaw, has openly described the club’s recent atmosphere as “quite toxic” and “not healthy at all,” highlighting the need for a cultural shift within the squad. Shaw expressed his support for head coach Ruben Amorim, who has introduced a strict regime since his arrival last November. Amorim’s firm stance was seen when he distanced himself from Marcus Rashford over training attitude issues, and similarly Alejandro Garnacho faced consequences after expressing frustration publicly following a Europa League final benching.

Speaking to reporters in Chicago, Shaw said,

“It’s not hard to see from the outside what it’s been like. A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative.”

He emphasized the importance of fostering a more positive and healthy environment at the club, stating, “We need an environment that’s healthy, that’s positive, that’s got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more.”

Shaw, Manchester United’s longest-serving player, praised Amorim’s unwavering demand for commitment from every squad member. “Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it. He demands 100% and doesn’t want anything less. If someone’s doing 85-90%, it’s not enough. I think, especially this year, if you’re not doing the right things, you won’t play,” Shaw explained. He added that it is equally the responsibility of senior players to uphold these standards, with status or individual reputation carrying no weight in maintaining discipline.

Manchester United is exploring innovative transfer strategies ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, with swap deals featuring Alejandro Garnacho proposed to acquire key striker targets.

With a transfer budget near £100 million due to absence from European competitions, United is looking beyond straightforward purchases. Early negotiations have reportedly included discussions with Aston Villa about exchanging Garnacho for Ollie Watkins.

While Garnacho managed a goal or assist in the Premier League every 275 minutes last season despite challenging team circumstances, Watkins’ output was significantly higher at one per 108 minutes.

The club has also considered a similar approach involving Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, although a significant valuation gap exists. Chelsea values Jackson at around £80 million but deems Garnacho worth no more than £30 million, complicating potential exchanges.

United’s forward line currently features Rasmus Højlund, who appears to be staying, and Joshua Zirkzee, who indicated acceptance of incoming attackers, saying, “I think it’s part of being at this club,” during the pre-season tour in the US. These strategic talks underline United’s intent to creatively navigate transfer market limitations while reinforcing their attacking options.