Manchester United is actively seeking to bolster their attacking options this summer, with Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig emerging as top targets. The club's hierarchy acknowledges the need to offload some players to fund these potential signings, a process that might extend closer to the September 1 deadline.

The Targets

• Ollie Watkins: The 29-year-old England international scored 16 goals in the Premier League last season. Despite Villa's reluctance to sell, United believes a deal could be struck near the deadline, although the £60m price tag seems steep.
• Benjamin Sesko: The 22-year-old Slovenian forward netted 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season. Newcastle is also in the race for Sesko, adding complexity to United's pursuit.

Current Squad Dynamics

At present, Rasmus Hojlund remains the first-choice center forward under manager Ruben Amorim. Despite a challenging season with only 10 goals in 52 games, Hojlund showed promise in the recent 2-1 win over West Ham. However, his lack of goals in pre-season has raised some concerns.

Transfer Strategy

Amorim has expressed a preference for players with Premier League experience, which aligns with the pursuit of Watkins. United has already spent nearly £130m on new signings this summer, including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who can also play as central strikers but are more likely to occupy the number 10 positions.

Challenges Ahead

Securing either Watkins or Sesko won't be straightforward. Newcastle's interest in Sesko and Villa's high valuation of Watkins present significant hurdles. Additionally, United's need to offload players like Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Jadon Sancho could influence their ability to bring in new talent.

Conclusion

As the transfer window progresses, Manchester United's strategy will become clearer. The pursuit of Watkins and Sesko highlights the club's ambition to strengthen their attack, but the road to securing these targets is fraught with challenges.