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Ineos may still need to convince some Manchester United fans but have already started planning towards the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are heading towards the final stretch of what has been an immensely disappointing season.
United sit 14th in the Premier League table with Ruben Amorim struggling to find consistent results since replacing Erik ten Hag.
The club’s financial position is far from ideal and Ineos announced fresh redundancies last week.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co really need to convince many United fans but they have made an off-field move with transfers in mind.
Christopher Vivell is staying at United on a multi-year deal and will serve as United’s director of recruitment moving forward.
Christopher Vivell deal surely sparks Benjamin Sesko chase
Vivell joined United on an initial short-term basis over the summer but has impressed Ineos enough to earn a long-term stay.
The former Chelsea man will form a key part of United’s recruitment approach alongside United technical director Jason Wilcox.
Dan Ashworth’s abrupt exit meant that changes were always likely at some stage and Vivell will now take on greater responsibility.
Vivell helped sign Erling Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg and may well have another striker in mind for United.
We reported in December that United were seriously keen on signing Benjamin Sesko with the RB Leipzig striker a key target for 2025.
Vivell brought Sesko to RB Leipzig too, so he is surely the driving force behind any potential United move.
Vivell is now taking on a bigger role at United and his permanent stay means that United are ultimately more likely to go for his preferred transfer targets.
Sesko certainly fits the bill with United struggling for goals this season and Rasmus Hojlund now on a 17-game goalless streak.
Strikers must be a priority for United this summer and Vivell’s ties to Sesko mean that he will surely become a top target.
This pursuit won’t be easy; The Athletic claim that Arsenal have ‘done a lot of work’ on Sesko ahead of a potential move.
Arsenal are Premier League title challengers right now and United may not even have European football on offer next season.
The Gunners may be favourites but United will hope that Vivell’s personal ties to Sesko can help bring the Slovenian to Old Trafford.
What Vivell has said about Sesko
Sesko has hit 10 goals and four assists in 23 Bundesliga games this season and is considered to be one of the top young strikers in Europe.
The 21-year-old is a huge physical presence and could lead United’s attack for many years to come if a deal can be done.
Vivell will be key to any pursuit and has previously heaped praise on the ‘special’ Sesko.
“Benjamin Šeško is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player. He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile,” said Vivell, as quoted by the official Bundesliga website.
It’s clear that Vivell is a huge fan of Sesko and a reunion at Old Trafford cannot be ruled out this summer.
United will not be alone in chasing Sesko but he may well rise to the top of United’s striking wish list with Vivell’s opinion now carrying greater weight inside Old Trafford.
