Manchester United have pulled off a dramatic move in the summer transfer market by signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, beating Newcastle United in the race for the 22-year-old striker.
The Slovenia international becomes United’s third major signing of the window, joining Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to give manager Ruben Amorim a fresh and dangerous-looking attack for the new Premier League season.
The Red Devils will pay £66.4 million up front, with an additional £7.6 million in potential add-ons, taking the total value of the deal to £74 million. Sesko has signed a five-year contract that runs until June 2030.
This transfer also means United’s total summer spending has now soared past £200 million, hitting £207.5 million in total. Cunha cost £62.5 million, while Mbeumo’s price tag was £71 million.
📰 Also Read This:
The deal is a major blow for Newcastle, who had also agreed a fee with Leipzig earlier this week. In fact, Newcastle even offered £4 million more than United, but Sesko made it clear that Old Trafford was his preferred destination.
Within days, Sesko agreed personal terms with Manchester United. A club-to-club agreement was finalised on Thursday, and he flew to Manchester with his agent, Elvis Basanovic, that same night.
The striker then completed his medical at Carrington, which has been upgraded over the summer, before officially putting pen to paper on his long-term contract.
Sesko could make his Manchester United debut in spectacular fashion next Sunday, when the Red Devils kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Arsenal.
Interestingly, Arsenal themselves had talks over signing Sesko earlier in the summer. However, they chose to sign Viktor Gyokeres instead, a player who was actually United’s first choice before Sesko.
A key figure in securing this signing was United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell. He first brought Sesko to Red Bull Salzburg as a teenager and later signed him for Leipzig in 2023. His long-term belief in the striker paid off once again.
Manchester United have tracked Sesko since he was just 16 years old, when he played for Slovenian club Domzale. The Red Devils came close to signing him even back then, before he became part of the Red Bull football group.
Speaking after the announcement, Sesko shared his excitement about the move:
“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special, but what really excites me is the future,” he said.
“When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment. It’s the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all my ambitions.”
The 6ft 5in forward brings both pace and power to the United attack. His style has been compared to Manchester City star Erling Haaland, not just because of his height and speed, but also because both players once shone at Salzburg before moving to the Bundesliga.
In his two seasons at Leipzig, Sesko scored 39 goals and provided eight assists in 87 appearances. He also has 41 caps for Slovenia, with six international goals, and represented his country at Euro 2024 last summer.
With Sesko now signed, Manchester United are shifting their attention to strengthening the midfield. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is a target, with talks already happening through intermediaries.
Meanwhile, the club is also planning to sell several players to balance the books. Chelsea are in discussions over a move for Alejandro Garnacho, while Rasmus Hojlund could leave for around £40 million. Sesko’s arrival may signal the end of Hojlund’s time at Old Trafford.
For United fans, this signing marks another statement of intent. The team is aiming to compete for the Premier League title again, and with Sesko leading the line, supporters are already dreaming big for the 2025-26 season.
Next Sunday’s clash against Arsenal will be the first chance to see whether this bold summer rebuild can deliver instant results.
