Benjamin Sesko’s injury forces Manchester United into a striker hunt. The main target is Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin – but the transfer presents significant obstacles.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin arrived on a free transfer from Everton last summer, but a possible move to Old Trafford this winter will still be far from free.
It is between Alexander Sørloth, Folarin Balogun and Mateo Retegui
Manchester United are considering signing a striker in the next winter transfer window, and the leading candidate is Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin. United’s transfer target is an attacking reference with Premier League experience.
As revealed by The Athletic on October 29, 2026, United’s technical department is analysing the possibility of the transfer – based on the prolonged absence of Slovenian Benjamin Sesko. The 23-year-old attacker will be out of action until the beginning of next year due to a shin bone injury.
Sesko’s injury and Calvert-Lewin’s form
The Old Trafford club’s medical department, along with specialists, concluded that Sesko needs a longer recovery period. That has forced the coaching staff to look for immediate solutions for the first third of the season. Sporting management turned its attention to Calvert-Lewin, who scored Leeds’ goal in the 1-1 draw against Michael Carrick’s side in October.
The England striker has 5 goals in all competitions in the 2026/27 season – 4 of them in 8 Premier League games. Since joining Elland Road in the summer of 2025 as a free agent, the attacker has 20 goals in 49 official appearances. He finished his first year as Leeds’ top scorer with 14 goals in 35 appearances – a feat that saw him return to England’s first team in March last year, after a five-year international break.
Contract extension and historical rivalry
The signing presents complications. The Leeds management is preparing a contract extension with financial improvement to his current deal, which runs until June 2028. The Whites refuse to let go of their attacking reference in the middle of the season – especially not to a direct sporting rival.
Transfers between the two clubs have a controversial history in English football. Historic transfers such as Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith are central, as well as Dan James in 2021 and the loan of reserve goalkeeper Karl Darlow in the summer of 2025.
United’s scouts will follow the striker’s physical and performance measurements weekly throughout November and December 2026. If Leeds formalize the contract extension in the coming weeks, Manchester United will activate options on the international market to resolve Sesko’s absence before the end of January 2027.
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