Manchester United Signs New Striker
On Saturday, Manchester United officially announced the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. The club revealed that they secured the striker, previously targeted by Arsenal and Newcastle, on a five-year contract. According to data from Transfermarkt, the deal is worth an initial €76.5 million, with an additional €8.5 million in potential add-ons. Sources indicate these add-ons are relatively achievable, effectively making this a €85 million transfer for the Bundesliga club.
Once the add-ons are met, Sesko will rank as the joint fourth most expensive signing in the club’s history, matching Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund during the 2021/22 season. “Manchester United’s history is incredibly special, but it’s the future that truly excites me,” Sesko stated. “Our discussions about the project revealed everything is in place for this team to grow and compete for major trophies soon. From the moment I arrived, I felt the positive energy and family atmosphere at the club. It’s clearly the ideal place for me to reach my highest potential and achieve my goals.” The question now is: is Sesko exactly what Manchester United needs, and is he prepared to quickly adapt to the Premier League?
Comparisons between Sesko and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland are unavoidable. Both emerged from Red Bull Salzburg and have similar physical attributes, standing at six feet five inches tall. Both have been labeled as top prospects in Europe from a young age. While Haaland has established himself as a world-class player, clubs are likely hoping that Sesko, who turned 22 at the end of May, will develop into a similar talent, although some experts draw different comparisons.
Is Benjamin Sesko Prepared for the Premier League?
Sesko had his most productive season to date during the 2024/25 campaign, contributing to 27 goals (21 goals and six assists). While these figures may not be exceptional, they suggest a promising future for the Slovenian forward. Alexander Binder, Transfermarkt‘s Chief Editor in Germany, describes Sesko’s playstyle: “He is a quick, physically imposing centre-forward who excels in transitions and is a significant aerial threat. Over two seasons at RB Leipzig, he evolved from an impact substitute to a staple in the starting lineup, with his market value nearly tripling from €24 million to €70 million during that period.”
While some fans hope Sesko can match Haaland’s output, Binder makes a more cautious comparison: “His playing style is reminiscent of Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez.” This perspective might not inspire excitement among Premier League fans, particularly after Núñez faced challenges last season. Nevertheless, both players possess significant raw talent; Sesko is still a work in progress.
Player Comparison
Market Value: €70.00m
Position: Centre-Forward
Contract Until: Jun 30, 2030
Although these insights might suggest that Sesko isn’t fully prepared to make an immediate impact in the Premier League, several factors indicate he might succeed. Binder noted, “The Premier League seems like a natural fit for him. His pace and physicality could pose significant challenges for defenders, making it a great tactical match for him. However, to become an elite striker, he needs to refine his finishing; in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Bundesliga seasons, he missed a high number of clear goal-scoring opportunities.”
Initially Rejecting Manchester United in 2023
For quite some time, several Premier League clubs have been linked with Sesko, with Saudi Pro League teams also expressing interest. Manchester United emerged as a strong contender after nearly signing him from Red Bull Salzburg in the past. Reflecting on the missed opportunity in 2023, Sesko shared with Transfermarkt: “I didn’t engage much during those discussions. I believe it was better for me to join Leipzig.” Consequently, Manchester United turned their attention to Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, who they signed for €73.9 million that summer.
Instead, Sesko chose to continue within the Red Bull network, becoming the 20th player to transition from Salzburg to Leipzig. Leipzig secured his transfer in the summer of 2022 but loaned him back to Salzburg for another season, where he scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 30 Austrian Bundesliga appearances. “It was crucial for me to choose a club that played a similar style of football,” Sesko remarked. “I already had a clear understanding of the game and didn’t want to undergo an extensive learning phase again.” Transitioning to the Premier League will likely present a significant learning curve as he joins under Ruben Amorim.
