Manchester United tell Barcelona and Atletico: Sesko is not for sale

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The Football Faithful

·22 June 2026

Manchester United tell Barcelona and Atletico: Sesko is not for sale

Manchester United have no intention of selling Benjamin Sesko this summer.

According to TEAMtalk, the club have rebuffed enquiries from intermediaries acting for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Their position on the Slovenia striker is described as unequivocal.

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Sesko’s first season took time to ignite. He arrived for £73.7m from RB Leipzig last summer but struggled for rhythm and starts early on. Opportunities were limited, and consistency proved hard to find.

The turning point was a change of manager. Michael Carrick placed his faith in Sesko, and the striker repaid it with a strong second half of the campaign.

No player scored more Premier League goals than him after the turn of the year.

The numbers are striking, given his role. Sesko finished with 11 league goals despite starting only 17 matches.

His late-season form helped United secure Champions League qualification, underlining how influential he became.

Manchester United tell Spanish giants: Sesko is not for sale

That improvement has drawn admiring glances. Sources say intermediaries have made contact, with Barcelona and Atletico both informed of his situation.

The interest is tied closely to the uncertainty around Julian Alvarez.

Barcelona still view Alvarez as their dream signing, but are weighing alternatives should that pursuit fail.

Atletico’s interest is different, driven by the prospect of losing Alvarez and moving on Alexander Sorloth. Sesko features on both clubs’ lists.

United, though, have offered no encouragement. The club believe the 23-year-old is only beginning to show his potential and rate his best years as still ahead.

Carrick is a major admirer and sees him as central to his plans.

The feeling appears mutual. Those close to Sesko say he “loves” working under Carrick and has thrived on the freedom afforded to him.

United do remain active in the market, but for different reasons. They want a versatile forward, particularly with Joshua Zirkzee expected to leave, a pursuit unconnected to Sesko’s future.