Manchester United agree deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Benjamin Sesko after agreeing a deal worth up to £73.7million with RB Leipzig, the PA news agency understands.

The talented 22-year-old striker has been the subject of a tug of a war as the Red Devils and Newcastle both attempted to bolster their attacks ahead of the new season.

Sesko indicated to United that he favored a move to them over the Magpies and PA understands they have now agreed a deal with Leipzig worth 76.5m euros (£66.3m) plus a potential 8.5m euros (£7.4m) in add-ons.

The Slovenia international has been granted permission to travel to Manchester to undergo a medical and complete the move.

Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last term and has long been on the Red Devils’ radar, stretching back to his move from Domzale to RB Salzburg in 2019.

Newcastle had made the first move this summer and reacted to seeing an initial bid rebuffed by making an improved approach worth a reported 82.5m euros (£71.9m) plus 2.5m euros (£2.2m) in add-ons.

Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils were waiting in the wings and followed with a rival proposal of 75m euros (£65.4m), plus a potential 10m (£8.7m) in add-ons.

The terms were subsequently tweaked, with United paying slightly more as an initial fee as part of the deal in principle agreed with Leipzig.

The PA news agency understands United have agreed to a future friendly match as part of a deal that is also said to include a sell-on clause.

Sesko is set to become the fourth signing of the summer as United look to hit back from finishing 15th last season – their worst top-flight campaign in 51 years – and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.

Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves for £62.5m, while Bryan Mbeumo left Brentford for an initial £65m fee that could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved.

Teenage wing-back Diego Leon has also linked up with United after a deal was struck with Cerro Porteno in January.

Sesko’s impending arrival raises fresh questions over the future of fellow frontman Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances since joining from Atalanta in 2023.

The striker, who like the Slovenian is 22, has rarely justified his lofty fee and has been linked with an exit, but the Denmark international recently stressed that he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

United have been trying to sign a striker throughout this window and made Sesko their priority over Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, having been interested in Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike before their summer moves.

Newcastle also held an interest in the pair and missing out on Sesko is another blow in a frustrating summer window that has been compounded by the situation surrounding Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak.

The 25-year-old missed Newcastle’s Asian tour with what the club called a “minor thigh injury” but it soon emerged he was unsettled and trained at former club Real Sociedad.

Boss Eddie Howe claimed he only found about Isak’s whereabouts through the media, with the Sweden international made to train by himself in Tyneside on Wednesday.

Liverpool have seen a £110m bid rejected and, while the Premier League champions remain keen on the 25-year-old, sources on Merseyside have indicated they would not enter a bidding war.

Published: 07/08/2025 by Radio NewsHub