From Oli (Giroud) to Benji (Sesko): it is not a cartoon but the plot that the Rossoneri market for center forwards could have. Out Olivier Giroud, whose contract will not be renewed: he will live the last experience of his career in MLS. Inside Benjamin Sesko, or at least Milan have every intention of trying. Benji is a young striker, he scored 16 goals with Leipzig and 29 with Salzburg, ready to receive an assist from Ibrahimovic: Zlatan voted yes to the deal. It can be said that he reciprocates the respect: Ibra was Benji’s idol. Sesko combines technique and physicality, he grew up far from home, he is young but already used to great responsibilities: he remembers someone… Ibra’s tone is the best guarantee: he and the rest of the management like Sesko. The price did not discourage the CEO. Furlani: the attacker is linked to Leipzig until the summer of 2028 but can be released by paying a 50 million bail. A figure destined to rise further, up to a maximum of 75 million: Milan will not pay the full price but believes they can start a negotiation with the Germans. Leipzig is a solid club and doesn’t need to sell out, Milan is equally solid and has already planned to invest a large percentage of its summer budget in the next centre-forward.
Perfect identikit
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Sesko will have to take up the legacy of Giroud, who in turn had replaced Ibra at the center of the Rossoneri area: among the candidates for the role, Sesko is the one who has characteristics closest to those of the last great Milan center forwards. He is tall (195 centimetres) and strong (85 kilos), as well as having already demonstrated that he is perfectly at ease in the penalty area: this season he has scored 12 goals in the Bundesliga (five consecutive in the last five games), two in the Champions League and as many in the German Cup. Sesko’s identikit matches the profile that Milan are trying to find: he is young but has already shown great talent, has a salary in line with the parameters and a potential that over the years can be exploited in the Rossoneri. A player like this is sought after throughout Europe and in fact there is no shortage of international competition: Milan is convinced that it has gained an advantage. He made the move even before choosing the new coach, certain that whoever he is will appreciate finding a striker of similar value in the team.
Very expensive
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For Milan a very high value: Sesko could be the highest paid player in the entire history of the club. Today the record belongs to Bonucci, purchased for 42 million by Juventus in the summer of 2017, that of the Chinese madness. The dearest Benjamin would be a calculated and low-risk deal: he has his whole career ahead of him to repay the expense and trust and increase the club’s assets. The valuation, so far, has increased steadily: having grown up among the youth sectors of Domzale and Krsko, in 2019 Sesko was purchased by Salzburg for two and a half million euros and resold last summer to Leipzig for 24. The price today has more than doubled. In addition to the variable clause, the performance with the Slovenian national team that Benji accompanied to the European Championship could also affect the price: five goals and two assists in the qualifiers. Other numbers that demonstrate the qualities of Sesko, who Milan have had on their personal wish list for weeks. Also on the list is Zirkzee, Guirassy, Gyokeres… All nominations that remain on the table, even if it is Benjamin’s CV that convinces most of all. Given his age and characteristics, he would be the perfect answer to the questions that the Rossoneri fans asked during last Sunday’s protest. Others would be needed, starting with the coach. In the meantime, the inauguration of the new course could be celebrated with Sesko.
