Manchester United are now said to be weighing up two main options when it comes to strikers this summer, having seemingly narrowed their search with just over a month left of the transfer window.
With The Athletic‘s David Ornstein having already intimated that there’s a “very good chance” current number nine Rasmus Højlund could “move on” as head coach Ruben Amorim looks to install his desired talents, it’s already been well publicised that more new arrivals will likely depend on sales.
That being said, the outlet’s Laurie Whitwell now reports that Man United are homing in on two specific names: Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Slovenian rising star, Benjamin Šeško.
Which one they decide to go and fully pursue remains to be seen.
#MUFC narrow striker search to Ollie Watkins + Benjamin Sesko. Club in touch on both players to figure out suitability + cost.
Nicolas Jackson ruled out due to Chelsea demands.
Watkins is Premier League proven, Sesko has high potential ceiling.
At present, it’s believed that the club is beginning the process of assessing which of the forwards – both of whom are well-favoured by various English suitors and, indeed, across the continent – is not only the best fit on paper but the most viable option.
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Besides the prospective cost of each player, one of the big differences between the two talented attackers is their age profile, with Watkins now well within his peak at 29 and Šeško still just 22 and already showing plenty of promise and a tall ceiling.
According to Whitwell, “No decision has yet been made on which target to advance, but United are in contact on both Watkins and Sesko to establish the potential costs of each deal.” Their suitability for the Portuguese manager’s system is also important.
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Stat-wise, Watkins registered 17 goals and 14 assists last season and was one of the most prolific goal threats in Europe the previous term (27G 15A), while RB Leipzig’s Šeško notched 27 involvements in 44 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, plus five more at international level.
It’s also worth noting that the former is already Premier League proven, having also scored big goals in major tournaments, not to mention having been on United’s radar for a few years now; journalist Samuel Luckhurst and other sources have also claimed that Watkins is “open” to Old Trafford.
Manchester United exploring both Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins. Efforts currently framed around those two, as @lauriewhitwell called.
As reported, Ollie Watkins talks have already taken place. Villa prefer to keep and won’t entertain a sale without a replacement. They value… pic.twitter.com/DotKmEniHI
Once again, however, a key stumbling block for either would be the transfers themselves, with Villa and Leipzig thought to be looking for something in the region of £60 million and £70 million, respectively.
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Returning to Whitwell, the Stockport-born Man United correspondent adds that Villa “might look to find an agreement at £40m to £45m” given their Arsenal were unwilling to patch their asking price back in the January window.
United are also said to have quickly moved on from Chelsea’s Nichola Jackson for the very same reason: all three individuals will inevitably come with big fees and wages.
On the other hand, were the Red Devils able to sell the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony – having quoted £50m to Al-Nassr for the currently ousted Brazilian – and quite possibly even Hojlund, they may be able to stretch their budget to afford the likes of highly sought-after Šeško.
He’s been big linked with big money moves since he burst onto the scene at Salzburg.
Obviously, Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee remain in the squad and are still relatively early in their careers full-stop, but it’s fair to say that neither have quite hit the ground running in red.
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Sport
Academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving Manchester City on a permanent transfer
Danny Jones
Manchester City youth academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving the club after sealing a move to Fulham FC.
Despite plenty of loan interest throughout the January transfer window, the Man City attacker has secured a switch to the in-form West London team on a permanent basis.
Bobb looked increasingly likely to leave in some capacity following the arrival of another winger in the form of instant hit, Antoine Semenyo, but it now looks as though his departure is all but confirmed, bar an imminent official announcement.
As reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement has now been reached between the two clubs pending a full medical today (Thursday, 29 January).
According to Romano, Fulham will pay Man City approximately £27 million for Bobb’s services, who becomes the latest addition in what has already been a fairly busy period of recruitment.
He goes on to add that “City also mantain [a] 20% sell-on clause, matching rights and future control on the player based on his decision.”
There is no suggestion of a buy-back clause at this time, but given his age and having already made a fair few appearances for Pep Guardiola‘s first team, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to see him return to the club one day.
Bobb also arrives at Craven Cottage following the exit of multiple wingers and offensive options, including Adama Traore, ex-Man United product Andreas Pereira and Arsenal youngster, Reiss Nelson, whose loan deal has expired and has signed another temporary deal at local rivals, Brentford.
Had it not been for that injury I know he would’ve been class for City for a long time, and let’s not forget that goal v Newcastle pic.twitter.com/inGxi5UjPM
The young Norwegian winger joined the Etihad Campus back in 2023 and went on to contribute a handful of goals and assists, despite limited appearances and some very unfortunate injury issues.
Only seven months ago, his soon-to-be former parent club released a short video charting his return from the sidelines after fracturing his leg – a setback which kept him out for roughly five months.
Plenty of fans have quickly placed him in the so-called ‘what if?’ category of players, and given that he’s still just 22 years old and has already impressed on a number of ocassions for such a big club, we wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on to have a very exciting career.
Can you see the Blues bringing in or letting anyone else go before deadline day?
Danny Jones -
29th July 2025 
