Manchester United have finalised the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £73.7m, with the Slovenia international signing a five-year contract. The 22-year-old striker passed his medical at Old Trafford on Saturday morning and was introduced before the pre-season friendly against Fiorentina. United are paying an initial €76.5m (£66.3m) plus potential add-ons of €8.5m (£7.4m).
Manager Ruben Amorim praised Sesko's character and potential, stating: 'He has the characteristics that we needed. He is really young, he is good in the air, he is good running the channels and he is good on the ball, so I think he has great potential.' Sesko joins as the club's fourth major signing of the summer, with spending reaching around £214m following the acquisitions of Matheus Cunha, Diego León and Bryan Mbeumo.
Sesko scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season and is expected to form an attacking trident alongside Cunha and Mbeumo. The player expressed his excitement about the project, saying: 'The history of Manchester United is obviously very special, but what really excites me is the future. 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.'
Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, highlighted Sesko's attributes: 'Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football.' The club had tracked Sesko closely, with data analysis confirming his suitability for the environment under Amorim's guidance.
Sesko had been a target for Newcastle United, who made a higher offer in both transfer fee and wages, but the striker opted for Old Trafford. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe dismissed suggestions that the club's Saudi owners are less engaged, despite missing out on several targets. Sesko began his career at Domzale before moving to RB Salzburg and then Leipzig.
