Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko is reportedly set to stay with the Austrian champions for the 2022-23 campaign despite interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after teenagers in Europe after enjoying two successful seasons in Austria.
Sesko netted 21 times in 29 appearances during a loan spell with second-tier side FC Liefering in 2020-21, before returning to Salzburg last season and contributing to 10 goals and seven assists in 37 games across all competitions.
The 6ft 4in striker has allegeldy attracted interest from a host of European clubs, with Chelsea, Man United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and RB Leipzig all believed to be monitoring his situation.
A recent report claims that the Erik ten Hag's side have tabled a 'concrete offer' to sign Sesko this summer, while Chelsea, PSG and Leipzig have also made bids for the striker.
However, Austrian reporter Marko Stankovic claims that Sesko will remain with Salzburg for at least another 12 months before assessing his options next summer.
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Speaking to Sky Sports Austria on 'Transfer Update – The Show', Stankovic said: "According to our information, Sesko wants to stay in Salzburg for another year so that he can make the leap like an Erling Braut Haaland.
"That's Sesko's plan. Next year at the latest we will talk to him about a really good transfer."
Meanwhile, Sport Klub claims that Salzburg have no interest in selling the Slovenia international and believe his valuation will increase if they keep hold of him this summer.
The report adds that Sesko has held 'thorough discussions' with his family and agent Elvis Basanovic over his future and a decision is set to be made within the 'next few days'.
While Salzburg are keen to keep hold of the striker, it is understood that an offer of at least £45m could tempt the Austrian Bundesliga champions to cash in on the teenager.
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Upon his arrival at Salzburg in 2019, Sesko's agent Basanovic revealed that several "really big clubs" attempted to sign the striker as a 16-year-old.
"We had a lot of offers from really big clubs," Basanovic told SPOX. "Had we decided on the money, Benjamin would have moved to England or Italy.
"But we decided to look at the bigger picture and the Salzburg project. The biggest clubs in Europe tried to get him. The interest in him was huge; I have never seen anything like it before."
Sesko, who scored in a 1-0 friendly win over Liverpool last month, renewed his contract with Salzburg last summer, keeping him tied to the club until June 2026.
Oliver Thomas
