Benjamin Sesko transfer news: Man Utd agree deal in principle for RB Leipzig forward as Newcastle set to miss out

he deal breaks down to an initial £66.3m (€76.5m) and £7.37m (€8.5m) in performance related add-ons for Benjamin Sesko; the forward has been open to both Manchester United and Newcastle – but has a preference towards joining Man Utd

With Man Utd agreeing a deal in principle for RB Leipzig forward, Benjamin Sesko, we take a look at his best goals in the Bundesliga last season.

Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle with RB Leipzig to sign Benjamin Sesko, who is set to put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

The deal breaks down to an initial £66.3m (€76.5m) and £7.37m (€8.5m) in performance-related add-ons.

Sesko is in Manchester and will have his Manchester United medical on Friday.

If his contract is signed on time, he could be formally presented at Old Trafford on Saturday when United face Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly

Benjamin Sesko lands in the UK ahead of his proposed move to Manchester United.

Newcastle had been working on a deal for Sesko, and on Tuesday made a second bid of £69.7m plus add-ons, which was higher than Manchester United’s – after an initial offer of just under £70m (€80m) plus add-ons.

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United are understood to be delighted with the deal they have struck with RB Leipzig. They did not want to get embroiled in a bidding war with Newcastle – and are paying less up front than Newcastle’s improved second bid.

The forward’s strong desire to join Man Utd has not been lost on club officials – they have consistently said they only want players who want to be part of what they are trying to build, regardless of whether they can offer Champions League football or not

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Director of football Jason Wilcox has played a key role in getting Sesko’s deal over the line, while director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and chief negotiator Matt Hargreaves have been in Leipzig finalising the deal.

The discussions were professional throughout with RB Leipzig and progressed when Sesko made it very clear he only wanted to join Manchester United.



Sesko answers some quickfire questions that reveal his idol in the game and who he believes is the best defender in the world. Credit: RB Leipzig

The 22-year-old was absent from RB Leipzig’s pre-season friendly loss to Atalanta on Saturday due to his expected departure from the club. The striker, who told his team-mates that he will be leaving, trained indoors away from the team at Leipzig’s training complex on Tuesday.

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Manchester United’s agreement for Sesko could have ramifications for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Newcastle will only let Isak leave St James’ Park if they can bring in a ready-made replacement. However, with Sesko now heading to Manchester, it puts any possible move for Isak into doubt.

Liverpool had a bid of £110m plus add-ons rejected by the Magpies.



Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie reflects on Manchester United’s bid for Sesko after Newcastle United submitted a higher offer

Could Hojlund leave United?

Sesko’s imminent signing will raise further questions over Rasmus Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford. It’s understood the club would consider offers of around £40m for the player, and AC Milan are understood to be interested.

It was thought United would have to make sales in order to bring in a striker. However, while the priority is to offload players, it is understood Ruben Amorim’s side can buy before selling, provided there are sales before the window closes.



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It is understood Leipzig are also interested in Hojlund and have explored the conditions of a loan. Leipzig had proposed taking the striker on loan as part of any possible deal for Sesko.

Hojlund has started two of Manchester United’s four pre-season games so far and scored in their 4-1 win over Bournemouth, but the possible arrival of a new striker could limit his game time.

‘Sesko to Man Utd would be hammer blow to Newcastle’

“It would be a hammer blow for Newcastle. It’s been a bit of a disaster transfer window for them.

“There has been a long list of players that they have got quite far down in terms of negotiations with, only to find that they choose to go elsewhere.

“Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Dean Huijsen. There are a number of players who Newcastle felt they had a chance of signing but went elsewhere.

“Getting to this stage with Sesko, a player they have admired for some time, this one will really hurt if he goes to Man Utd.

“It’s been a really difficult window.”

The next Haaland? What Sesko would bring to the Premier League

What makes the RB Leipzig striker so appealing?

Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig since joining from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago but what qualities would the 22-year-old bring to the Premier League?

And could he really be the next Erling Haaland?

Read Nick Wright’s feature here.

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From this season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games this season will be on Sky Sports.