Manchester United Close in on €75m Benjamin Sesko Transfer as Deal Nears Critical Juncture
Manchester United Edge Toward Sesko Deal, but Face Big Decision
Manchester United are standing at a crossroads that could define their summer—and maybe their season. The club has already struck a verbal agreement with RB Leipzig for a €75 million move for Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, with only the final details left to iron out. If you’ve followed United’s transfer dealings lately, you’ll know how rare it is for things to be this far along with a top prospect. But nothing’s signed just yet, and there’s still plenty to play for in this story.
The driving force behind this push is Christopher Vivell, a former Red Bull Group executive who knows the ins and outs of the Benjamin Sesko deal better than just about anyone at Old Trafford. Vivell’s background with Red Bull means he’s watched Sesko’s rise from close up, tracking his development from a talented teenager to Leipzig’s latest forward star. United have made Sesko their number one target up front, moving ahead of long-standing interests like Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa. The Villa board have remained firm: Watkins simply isn’t for sale, pushing United further toward settling things with Leipzig.
Other Dominoes: Player Agency and Rival Bidders
The Sesko camp has already discussed United’s long-term project and what the striker’s role would look like under Erik ten Hag. But there’s a twist. Unlike some of the high-profile signings lured by eye-watering salaries from the Saudi Pro League, Sesko has made it clear he wants to test himself in Europe. That should be music to United’s ears, but it also means competition is fierce and homegrown alternatives, like Watkins, are much harder to come by.
Leipzig, for their part, are playing the waiting game. They’ve accepted the €75 million fee and are leaving the ball firmly in the player’s court. Meanwhile, Newcastle United have quietly entered the conversation, showing the kind of interest that can muddy the waters just enough to make Old Trafford’s hierarchy sweat. The Magpies, flush with Premier League cash, could mount a late bid—and if there’s anything United hate, it’s being caught flat-footed by a direct rival.
The complexities don’t just end with finances. United are weighing up whether to throw all their chips on Sesko, a player with promise and upward trajectory, or to wait for a possible shift in the market for more proven Premier League talent. Watkins would have ticked many boxes with his experience, but Villa’s stance has forced their hand. Fans and backroom staff know that getting this call wrong could leave them behind while City, Arsenal, and Liverpool add more firepower to their attacks.
There’s an urgency in the air at Carrington. As other suitors circle and Leipzig keep communication lines open, United’s executives know time is running out to move from intention to action. It’s a balancing act of ambition, money, and the need for instant results—a familiar storyline, but one that feels more pivotal this summer as the rebuild enters a new phase.
For now, United look set to go all-in on Benjamin Sesko. But in football, nothing is certain until that contract is signed, the shirt is held aloft, and the cameras flash at Old Trafford. The next few days will reveal if United’s high-stakes gamble pays off, or if another twist leaves them back at the drawing board, still searching for their next number nine.