Manchester United have strengthened their squad with Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old Slovenian striker joins from RB Leipzig and has signed a contract until mid-2030.
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Manchester United’s capture of Benjamin Sesko marks yet another statement of intent from the Premier League giants in what has already been one of their most aggressive transfer windows in recent years.
Having already splashed out heavily to bring in Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for 74 million euros and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for 75 million euros, United have now gone one step further with the acquisition of Sesko from RB Leipzig. The deal is reported to be worth 76.5 million euros upfront, with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the total package to an eye-watering 85 million euros.
The 22-year-old Slovenian striker had been one of the most sought-after young attacking talents in European football, attracting interest not only from Manchester United but also from clubs like Newcastle United, who were pushing hard to secure his services. In the end, United’s financial muscle, coupled with their project under current management, appears to have tipped the balance in their favour. This transfer is seen by many as a direct move to inject fresh firepower into the squad and to ensure they have multiple high-quality options in the attacking department for the long term.
Sesko’s arrival adds another layer of competition in a forward line that already features Joshua Zirkzee, a summer signing who himself was expected to be a major addition, and Rasmus Højlund, the young Danish striker who joined last season in a big-money move from Atalanta. Manager Erik ten Hag will now have the luxury and the challenge of rotating between three young, hungry, and highly-rated centre-forwards, each with different attributes. Sesko’s pace, aerial threat, and clinical finishing ability are expected to complement the more technical and link-up style of Zirkzee and the raw power and directness of Højlund.
Sesko’s football journey has been one of steady progression and consistent goal-scoring. Born in Slovenia, he rose to prominence in the Red Bull football network, first making a name for himself in the youth ranks of Red Bull Salzburg. After excelling at youth level, he broke into Salzburg’s senior team, where he spent two full seasons, refining his skills in the Austrian Bundesliga and making a name as one of Europe’s brightest young forwards. His performances earned him a move to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga for 24 million euros a figure that now seems like a bargain given his rapid rise in value.
During his time at Leipzig, Sesko became a crucial part of the squad, netting 21 goals and providing 6 assists in 45 matches across all competitions. His ability to score in a variety of ways whether through powerful headers, composed finishes, or well-timed runs behind defences has made him a nightmare for opposing backlines. His physical presence, standing at 1.95 metres, combined with surprising speed and agility, gives him a profile similar to some of Europe’s most prolific modern strikers.
On the international stage, Sesko has already amassed 41 caps for Slovenia despite his young age, underlining his importance to the national team setup. He has scored crucial goals in qualification campaigns and has been tipped as a future captain of the side. For Slovenia, he is not just a goalscorer but also a focal point for their attack, capable of holding up the ball and bringing teammates into play.
Manchester United’s decision to invest heavily in Sesko also reflects a broader strategy to lower the average age of their squad while securing players with high resale value and long-term potential. By tying him down to a contract running until mid-2030, the club have ensured they will have one of Europe’s most promising strikers entering his peak years while under their control.
For Newcastle United, missing out on Sesko will be seen as a blow, especially given their ambition to strengthen their attack ahead of a busy season. However, United’s determination to get the deal done and their willingness to outbid rivals sends a clear message to the rest of the Premier League: they are serious about competing at the highest level again.
With Cunha, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Højlund, and now Sesko all vying for attacking roles, Manchester United are building an arsenal of forward options unmatched by most of their domestic and European competitors. The upcoming season will reveal whether this aggressive recruitment drive can translate into silverware, but one thing is certain Old Trafford will have no shortage of attacking excitement in the years to come.
