Manchester United have got the signature of their desired Slovenian striker in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for a fee to the tune of £73.7 million. The contract guarantees £66.3m payment with the rest being contingent upon performance-based bonuses.
The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal, making him United’s third big attacking signing of the summer after Matheus Cunha for £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo for £65m plus add-ons.
Why Sesko Chose Old Trafford
Andy Mackay, while Newcastle United were one of the teams interested in him, has chosen the Manchester United project under Ruben Amorim. After finishing last season in a sorry 15th in the Premier League, the Red Devils were undergoing reconstruction, convincing the striker to dedicate his prime years to Old Trafford.
“History of this club speaks for itself but the future vision excites me the most,” Sesko said. “Environment feels like a family here, and I feel it’s the right place to push myself to the highest level.”
An Explosive and Complete Forward
Sesko joined RB Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and boasted a record of 39 goals and provided 8 assists in 87 appearances. He has scored 27 league goals in just 64 Bundesliga matches, making him the top scorer under the age of 23 across the best five leagues in Europe. At 6ft 5in tall, he is a hybrid of brute strength and burst power that has seen him reach mind-boggling speeds of 35.7 km/h.
More impressive was Sesko’s prowess in aerial duels, winning 57.4% of contested aerial duels, paired with a penchant for long-range shots, including three of the goals he scored last season from well outside the area. His development in the second half of last season towards a more versatile attack brought much more contribution to the wide areas and deeper midfielder roles, accelerating the path toward becoming a complete modern forward.
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Impact on United’s Forward Line
The arrival of Sesko could have severe consequences for Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund was keen to stay, but United may accept offers in the region of £30m and are said to be seeking a loan deal with an option to buy from AC Milan. Since arriving from Atalanta for £72m, Hojlund has netted 14 goals in the Premier League during his two seasons.
“Aidan Wilcox, director of football at Manchester United, stated that Sesko is an ‘exceptional talent, one of the very best young talents in world football,’ stressing that the huge data-recruitment advantage strongly underpinned his recruitment.”
United are looking now to re-energize their offense and put themselves back among the contenders for major trophies in the upcoming seasons with Sesko heading the front line.
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