Manchester United smash transfer record with Šeško deal, beating Newcastle in dramatic pursuit
Manchester United have finally landed their marquee signing of the summer. The club reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign 22-year-old striker Benjamin Šeško in a deal worth roughly £73 million, including add-ons and extras.
For weeks, the Red Devils found themselves locked in a tense showdown with Newcastle United. The Magpies had tabled a substantial bid, including Champions League football as a selling point. Yet Šeško’s heart lay at Old Trafford, where he settled on terms before Newcastle had even finalised their offer.
The structure of United’s agreement—approximately £66.3 million upfront with up to £8.5 million in performance-based bonuses—finally broke the impasse. Šeško is set to sign a five-year contract and complete medical tests imminently.
This transfer marks United’s fourth big-name acquisition under manager Rúben Amorim, following Matheus Cunha, Diego León, and Bryan Mbeumo. Their cumulative summer expenditure is staggering—totalling around £214 million—as they wage a serious attack on Premier League dominance.
Sesko brings a commanding presence to United’s frontline. At 6 ft 5in, he shapes up as a powerful aerial threat with pace and a sharp edge in front of goal. Last season, he struck 13 Bundesliga goals and netted four times in the Champions League, adding up to 21 goals overall. Since joining Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg, he’s amassed 39 goals and 8 assists in 87 appearances. While he’s still a raw talent, his trajectory suggests untapped greatness.
Šeško’s arrival may also signal the end for Rasmus Højlund at the club, whose future now looks uncertain. Meanwhile, a mid-season overhaul looms: United are weighing outgoing moves for underperformers like Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia, aiming to balance books and squad depth.
This signing, in the context of a club once warned as ‘bust by Christmas,’ speaks volumes about United’s renewed ambition. With calculated financial manoeuvres and the backing of consortium leader Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Old Trafford board have turned budgetary constraints into strategic reinforcement.
As preparations ramp up for the new season, Šeško could make his debut in United’s opener against Arsenal on 17 August—assuming his medical completes smoothly. For now, the football world watches as United’s rebuilt attack takes aim at glory.