Manchester United closing in on signing Benjamin Sesko as new striker
Manchester United are on the verge of securing a deal for Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, edging ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign the 22-year-old from RB Leipzig.
The Red Devils and Newcastle have both made bids for Sesko, with Newcastle initially offering €75 million plus €5 million in add-ons, before raising their offer to €80 million.
Manchester United responded within 24 hours with a proposal of €75 million plus €10 million.
Despite Newcastle’s increased bid, Sesko has expressed a strong desire to join Manchester United, a preference that has shifted the balance in United’s favour, as reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein.
🚨 Manchester United closing in on deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. #RBLeipzig accepted €82.5m + €2.5m bid from Newcastle United but 22yo striker wants #MUFC. No club-to-club agreement yet but talks advancing towards conclusion @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/fhMckcdfRU
Although no final agreement has been made between the clubs yet, talks are progressing to meet Leipzig’s expectations for the transfer.
Sesko’s decision to opt for United is significant, even though Newcastle have offered a higher fee and the attraction of Champions League football.
The forward had an impressive season in 2024-2025, scoring 21 goals across all competitions for Leipzig. Since joining from RB Salzburg in 2023, Sesko has netted 39 goals and provided eight assists in 87 appearances.
Sesko is recognised for his physicality and goal-scoring ability. Standing at 6ft 5in, the striker has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland due to his speed, powerful finishing, and aggression. While not yet at Haaland’s level, his potential is undeniable.
However, signing a player of Sesko’s calibre brings its own challenges. His physical attributes could make him well-suited to the Premier League, but whether he can handle the intense scrutiny at a club like Manchester United remains to be seen.
Sesko's preference for Manchester United was also reported by veteran transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
🔴✅👀 #MUFC https://t.co/1sjNrsOClx
United’s interest in Sesko comes as part of an ongoing search for attacking reinforcements. This summer, the club has also added forwards Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Earlier in the summer, the club looked into the possibility of signing Liam Delap, but the striker opted for a move to Chelsea.
United’s offensive overhaul continues as they look to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts in the upcoming season.