Barcelona Target Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko as Lewandowski Replacement After Julián Álvarez Pursuit Stalls

FC Barcelona are reportedly monitoring Manchester United striker Benjamin Šeško as a potential replacement for departing forward Robert Lewandowski, according to reports. The 23-year-old Slovenian has emerged on the club’s radar as sporting director Deco works to identify viable attacking options ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The primary catalyst behind Šeško’s inclusion on Barcelona’s shortlist is the Blaugrana’s failure to secure their preferred target, Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez. Atlético Madrid have shown little willingness to sell the Argentine forward to a direct La Liga rival, having already rejected Barcelona’s opening offer of just over €100 million. Notably, Atlético also turned down a €150 million approach from Real Madrid for the same player, underlining the Spanish club’s firm stance on retaining Álvarez. With those negotiations at an apparent impasse, Deco has been compelled to broaden the club’s transfer focus, with Šeško among several alternatives now under consideration.

Šeško completed his move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2025, joining Manchester United from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £74 million. The transfer came with a long-term contract, reflecting the Red Devils’ commitment to building around the young striker. In his debut season at the club, Šeško registered 12 goals across 32 appearances in all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League — a respectable return for a player adapting to English football for the first time.

Despite intermediaries reportedly making preliminary enquiries regarding his availability, Manchester United have communicated that Šeško is not for sale, according to reports. The club’s position appears unambiguous at this stage, though transfer windows often see initial stances shift under sustained pressure or sufficiently attractive offers.

Lewandowski’s anticipated departure leaves Barcelona requiring a proven goalscorer at the highest level. The Polish striker, who joined the Catalan club from Bayern Munich in 2022, has been one of the most consistent performers in La Liga during his time at the Camp Nou, and finding a suitable long-term successor presents a significant challenge for the club’s recruitment team.

Šeško, who represented Slovenia at senior international level, was among the most sought-after young strikers in European football prior to his move to England, attracting interest from several top clubs before ultimately choosing Manchester United. His physical profile — standing at 1.94 metres — combined with his technical ability and finishing made him one of the standout forwards in the Bundesliga during his time at Leipzig.

Whether Barcelona can advance their interest into a formal offer remains unclear given Manchester United’s reported position. The club’s ability to fund a significant transfer may also depend on player sales and their financial results for the season. How the situation develops over the coming weeks is likely to be one of the more closely watched storylines of the summer window.