Manchester United’s signing of Benjamin Sesko has been one of the most talked-about transfers of the summer, but the real story behind it is even more dramatic than fans imagined.
The 21-year-old striker, signed from RB Leipzig for a fee worth up to £74 million, was officially unveiled last weekend. He joins a refreshed squad under Ruben Amorim, alongside new arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
But what fans didn’t know is just how far United went to make the deal happen, or how close Sesko came to joining Arsenal instead.
According to Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, United’s persistence was relentless. In the final stretch of negotiations, they followed him “everywhere”, literally.
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“In the last 10-15 days, they followed my every step,” Basanovic revealed on Slovenian TV channel POP! TV’s 24UR programme. “The talks took place in three different countries and six different cities.”
This was not a sudden move. United had been tracking Sesko for seven years, going back to when he was just a teenager.
“We visited their academy when he was just 15,” Basanovic said. “Even then, we were planning this move for the future. But at the time, we didn’t want him to leave so young.”
The plan, according to Sesko’s camp, was always long-term. First, two seasons in the Bundesliga to gain experience and maturity. Then, a move to the Premier League, ideally to Old Trafford.
This vision shaped every decision they made. Even when other clubs showed interest, they never lost sight of the end goal.
Arsenal were one of the first clubs to seriously try for Sesko this summer. The Gunners saw him as a top priority and even had a bid accepted. They could also offer Champions League football immediately, something United could not.
However, the transfer fee was steep, and Arsenal eventually switched targets. They chose to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead.
Basanovic explained that the Arsenal deal didn’t fall apart because of one single reason.
“Whenever a deal doesn’t go through, there are always several factors,” he said. “In the end, everything has to align for it to happen.”
What did align, however, was Sesko’s personal wish. He had dreamed for years of wearing the Manchester United shirt.
“For United, he was even willing to take a pay cut,” Basanovic revealed. “As his agent, I wanted to make that wish come true.”
This personal connection, built over years, gave United a huge advantage over their rivals. The club’s negotiations director, Matt Hargreaves, also played a key role.
Basanovic described him as “a ruthless negotiator” who never gave up. This determination matched Sesko’s desire and ultimately sealed the deal.
Newcastle United were also in the race at one stage, but they too were beaten by United’s persistence.
In the end, all the travel, meetings, and strategy paid off. Sesko is now preparing to make his Premier League debut in United’s opening game against Arsenal, the very team he almost joined.
For United fans, the signing feels like a long-term investment finally coming to life. For Sesko, it’s the fulfilment of a dream nearly a decade in the making.
And for Arsenal, it’s a painful reminder that in football, sometimes desire and persistence matter more than early leads or even Champions League football.
Benjamin Sesko’s journey to Old Trafford wasn’t just a transfer. It was a chase across borders, a seven-year plan, and a testament to the power of sticking to a dream.
As the new season kicks off, all eyes will be on whether United’s years of planning and patience will pay off on the pitch.
