GdS: ‘Ibra’s stamp’ – why RB Leipzig striker has convinced everyone at Milan

It is no secret that AC Milan are in the market for a new striker ahead of the summer, and a report has claimed that Benjamin Sesko is the name that seems to have everyone in agreement.

As today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes, Olivier Giroud’s time at Milan will end after the final three games of the season and he will join Los Angeles FC, which means the management need to replace his goals.

They ‘have every intention of trying’ for Sesko, a young centre-forward who has 16 goals with RB Leipzig this season after 29 with Red Bull Salzburg last season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also given his ‘stamp’ of approval regarding the 20-year-old and can be said that he reciprocates the respect, because Ibrahimovic was Sesko’s idol.

The Slovenia international combines technique and physicality like Zlatan did, which is why the Swede and the rest of the management have voted in favour.

The price did not discourage the CEO Giorgio Furlani either because even though he has a contract until June 2028 it features a €50m release clause, a figure that could rise to €75m.

Milan will not pay the full price but believe they can start a negotiation with the Germans. Leipzig are a tough club to deal with and do not need to sell, but the Rossoneri have the budget to tempt them.

Sesko will have to take up the legacy of Giroud, who in turn had replaced Ibrahimovic at the centre of the attack. Among the candidates for the role, Sesko is the one who has characteristics closest to those of the last great Milan strikers.

He is tall (195cm) and strong (85kg), 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 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.

A player like this is sought after throughout Europe and in fact there is no shortage of international competition, yet Milan are convinced that they have gained an advantage in the race.

They made the move even before choosing the new coach, certain that whoever that is will appreciate finding a striker of his value in the team.

Cost TBD

Sesko could be the most expensive signing in the entire history of the club. Today the record belongs to Leonardo Bonucci, bought for €42m from Juventus in the summer of 2017.

Benjamin would be a calculated and low-risk deal: he has his whole career ahead of him to repay the expense and the trust of the management, while his career so far shows that his value continues to rise.

In 2019 Sesko was purchased by Salzburg for €2.5m and resold last summer to Leipzig for €24m. That price today has more than doubled.

In addition to the variable clause, his performance with the Slovenian national team in the European Championship could also affect how much he costs, because he got five goals and two assists in the qualifiers.

The list still includes the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Serhou Guirassy and ​​Viktor Gyokeres, but Sesko’s CV 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.