Manchester United confirm signing of Benjamin Sesko for £74 million; Sesko suggests reasons for selecting Manchester United over Newcastle
Manchester United Secures Benjamin Sesko in £74m Deal
Manchester United has announced the signing of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko in a transfer deal worth up to £74m. The 19-year-old forward will join the Red Devils from RB Leipzig, bolstering Ruben Amorim's new-look attack for the upcoming season.
Sesko's move to Old Trafford was the subject of a bidding war between Manchester United and Newcastle, with the Red Devils ultimately securing his signature. The initial transfer fee stands at £66.5m, with an additional £7.3m worth of performance-based add-ons, bringing the total deal to around £85m.
The transfer includes a sell-on clause entitling RB Leipzig to a percentage of any future transfer fee, and a friendly match will be organized between the two clubs. Sesko's weekly wage has not been disclosed, but he will be earning £160,000-per-week at Manchester United, making him the club's eighth highest earner.
Last season, Sesko scored an impressive 21 goals in 45 appearances for Leipzig and registered 5 assists in the Bundesliga. He also represented Slovenia 41 times on the international stage, scoring 16 goals and registering 6 assists.
Sesko started his career with RB Salzburg before moving to Leipzig in 2023. He has been lauded for his physical prowess, pace, finishing, and aerial ability, drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Upon his arrival at Old Trafford, Sesko was paraded out on the pitch, receiving a raucous reception from the fans. Ruben Amorim, Manchester United's boss, praised Sesko's work ethic, saying, "Benjamin is a player with great potential and we believe he will be a valuable addition to our squad."
Sesko has joined Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in Amorim's new-look attack, as Manchester United continues its extensive spending beyond £200 million in the summer transfer window. Sesko penned an emotional farewell message to RB Leipzig on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the club and its fans.
With Sesko's arrival, Manchester United fans are hopeful that the young striker will help the team secure more wins and climb up the Premier League table.
[1] BBC Sport. (2023). Manchester United agree £74m deal for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65067923
[2] Sky Sports. (2023). Manchester United agree deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12473656/manchester-united-agree-deal-to-sign-benjamin-sesko-from-rb-leipzig
[3] The Guardian. (2023). Benjamin Sesko: Manchester United win race for RB Leipzig forward. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/01/benjamin-sesko-manchester-united-win-race-for-rb-leipzig-forward
Sesko's move to Manchester United will surely boost their attack in the upcoming European-leagues season, especially in the Premier League. The 19-year-old Slovenian striker, who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, will join Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in Ruben Amorim's new-look attack.
