Manchester United has decided to accelerate its transfer plans and is fully focused on Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old Slovenian forward who plays for RB Leipzig. The German club has set a clear, no-discount price: €75 million to release the player. The report, published by The Athletic, has stirred the European market and positioned the forward as United’s top target for the upcoming season. The race promises to be intense, as Newcastle, which could lose Alexander Isak, is also keeping a close eye on the situation.
Leipzig knows exactly what it has and has no intention of making things easy. The €75 million fee is fixed and doesn’t include performance bonuses or future add-ons. On top of that, the German club is demanding a percentage of any potential future sale, making it clear they’ll only let their striker go for a truly significant offer.
An aggressive market and a United that needs to respond
Manchester United is navigating a busy and aggressive transfer window, reflecting its need to compete again at the highest level in both the Premier League and the Champions League. So far, the club has already spent heavily on three players: Matheus Cunha, who left Wolverhampton for €74.2 million; Bryan Mbeumo, signed from Brentford for €75 million; and young Paraguayan prospect Diego León, brought in from Cerro Porteño for €4 million. Altogether, United has already surpassed the €150 million mark in spending before even addressing its most pressing need: a reliable center forward to lead the attack.
The pursuit of Sesko is also a direct response to pressure from fans and the English media. The team needs goals and a more versatile attack. Last season, United struggled with offensive inconsistency, reliance on individual moments, and a lack of depth in the squad. Signing Sesko, if it happens, would signal a shift in approach, providing a young alternative with growth potential to lead the front line. The backup option, Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, is appealing but seen as a less strategic move, as the English forward is already established and would likely cost a similar amount without offering the same resale value or long-term upside.
Newcastle competition and pressure to act fast
Newcastle has emerged as United’s main competitor in the race for Benjamin Sesko. The northern club is closely monitoring the situation, especially because it could lose Alexander Isak, who is attracting interest from top European teams. If their star striker leaves, it would open the door, and the budget, for an aggressive bid for the Slovenian. That puts Manchester United in a delicate position: move quickly to close the deal or risk seeing the forward join a direct Premier League rival.
The clock is ticking, rivals are watching, and the €75 million separating Manchester United from its potential new No. 9 could end up defining not just this transfer window but the tone of the entire upcoming season.