From £2m blunder to £66m deal, Benjamin Sesko to Man Utd full timeline as Red Devils strike it fourth time lucky

Manchester United have won the chase to sign Benjamin Sesko, with an agreement finally struck.

Benjamin Sesko is set to sign for Manchester United after a fee was agreed with RB Leipzig. The Red Devils have beaten competition from Newcastle.

Sesko’s move to United comes after a pursuit going back years. Let’s look back at how a deal previously fell through.

Photo by Andreas Schaad – FC Red Bull Salzburg/FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images

2019: Manchester United back away from move

Manchester United were actively pursuing top young players around Europe in 2019, but the gambles did not pay off.

The club spent a seven-figure fee on Monaco’s Hannibal Mejbri, and also acquired forward Mateo Mejia from Real Zaragoza. Both players left the club in 2024 permanently.

The same summer Manchester United backed away from an outlay on Benjamin Sesko, The Athletic later reported.

It was claimed: “United have scouted Sesko since he was at Slovenian club, Domzale. Back then, in 2019, United viewed a €3million (£2.5m, $3.1m) price as excessive.”

Sesko has instead developed into a far more expensive striker, arguably better for playing Bundesliga and Champions League football, than had he gone into United’s academy and a possible succession of loan moves, amid an era of multiple changes in the first team manager’s dugout.

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But from Manchester United’s perspective, it looks like a costly error not to have taken the plunge on Sesko back then.

The young forward ended up signing for Red Bull Salzburg, with Christopher Vivell sealing the deal for the Austrian club.

2022: Manchester United priced out of move by Red Bull clubs

Manchester United strongly considered a move for Benjamin Sesko in 2022 during Erik ten Hag’s first summer at the club.

Red Bull Salzburg quoted Manchester United a price of £55 million. It was a price United considered excessive, reflected by Salzburg eventually selling Sesko to sister club RB Leipzig at £20 million.

United ended up sticking with Anthony Martial, and signing Rasmus Hojlund the following summer for £64 million.

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Manchester United expressed interest in Sesko in 2024 when the striker indicated he was considering leaving Leipzig.

Sesko ended up signing a contract extension with the Bundesliga side, turning down interest from several clubs.

2025: Manchester United finally sign Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United have finally won the race for Benjamin Sesko, six years after first considering bringing him to Old Trafford.

Sesko began the transfer window expecting to sign for Arsenal, but the Gunners backed out of a move and opted for Viktor Gyokeres instead.

Manchester United switched attention to Sesko after first considering Liam Delap early in the window, who opted for Chelsea.

Newcastle pushed hard for Sesko’s signature and offered even more than Manchester United. The Slovenian striker opted for the Red Devils, joining Ruben Amorim’s new project and committing his long-term future to the club, signed by Christopher Vivell for a second time.

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