Benjamin Sesko Chooses Man United Over Newcastle in Blockbuster £74M Transfer
Benjamin Sesko has officially arrived in Manchester to undergo his medical ahead of a highly anticipated £74 million switch from RB Leipzig to Manchester United — a transfer that’s turning heads not just for its size, but for what it reveals about the striker’s priorities.
Despite a more lucrative offer from Newcastle United, Sesko has opted for the prestige and promise of Old Trafford. In a surprising show of commitment, the 22-year-old Slovenian striker has reportedly agreed to waive a portion of his wages to help seal the move. Even his agents, led by Elvis Basanovic, are said to have reduced their commission to get the deal over the line.
The Numbers Behind the Deal
Manchester United will pay an initial £66.4 million, with an additional £7.4 million in performance-related bonuses. The deal also includes an agreement for a future friendly match between United and Leipzig at Red Bull Arena, likely as a goodwill gesture to the German club.
A Six-Year Chase Ends in Success
Sesko has been on United’s radar since his teenage years, and after six years of monitoring and pursuit, the Red Devils have finally got their man. His arrival signals a dramatic reshaping of Ruben Amorim’s attacking options ahead of the new season.
He will join recent signings Matheus Cunha (from Wolves for £62.5m) and Bryan Mbeumo (from Brentford for £71m), completing a trio of high-profile attacking additions meant to revamp United’s frontline.
What Sets Sesko Apart?
Internally, United view Sesko as a potential superstar. At just 22, he’s already scored 39 goals and provided eight assists in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig. He netted 21 goals last season alone across all competitions and has already earned 41 caps for Slovenia — a testament to his maturity and consistency.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Sesko landed in Manchester on Thursday evening and is expected to be officially unveiled on Saturday, possibly in front of fans at Old Trafford.
A Major Blow to Newcastle
The transfer represents a significant setback for Newcastle United, who made two separate offers for Sesko and were confident of securing him as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move to Liverpool.
Despite offering both the player and RB Leipzig more attractive financial packages, Newcastle were ultimately outmaneuvered by Sesko’s personal preference to join United — and perhaps the allure of working under Amorim and playing at the Theatre of Dreams.
United’s Striker Hunt Ends — But Not Without Drama
This transfer concludes United’s prolonged striker search, after seeing several top targets slip away. Liam Delap joined Chelsea, while Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres opted for Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
With Sesko’s arrival, United now look ready to charge into the new season with renewed attacking firepower — and a player hungry to prove that turning down bigger wages was worth it.
