Manchester United are in talks to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and are confident of financing a deal for the Slovenia international before selling any members of their 'bomb squad'
16:13, 02 Aug 2025
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig looks on during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany on November 30, 2024.
Benjamin Sesko has been linked to Man Utd
Manchester United are optimistic about securing a deal for RB Leipzig's forward Benjamin Sesko without having to offload any players from their 'bomb squad'.
United have initiated talks to sign Sesko, 22, in a deal that could reach up to £79million. Newcastle United, who had eyed the Slovenian international as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak should he move to Liverpool, have conceded that Sesko is likely to join United.
Despite Newcastle suggesting that United are close to signing Sesko, club sources have refuted this claim. United insiders believe they have the financial flexibility to sign a striker without needing to make immediate sales, thanks to the season-long loan of Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona are footing the bill for Rashford's wages in full, saving United around £14m.
The club has also generated £20.7m from sell-on clauses following transfers involving academy players Anthony Elanga, Alvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele, as well as £5m from the penalty fee Chelsea paid to avoid buying Jadon Sancho, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Sesko is wanted by United
Man Utd wouldn't have to sell to purchase Sesko
Article continues below
Additional savings were made during a thrifty winter transfer window, where they signed Patrick Dorgu for an initial fee of £25m and loaned out Rashford and Antony, with most of their wages covered by Aston Villa and Real Betis.
The acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were structured in instalments, meaning that while United have committed to investing £133.5m in the pair, the cost is spread over time.
United's financial health and sustainability have seen a boost following a second wave of job cuts in two years. The workforce at United has been reduced by about a third since co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority stake was approved in February 2024.
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
The upcoming three-year PSR cycle will also exclude the lavish signings of Casemiro and Antony, who were acquired for a total fee that could rise to £156.3m in August 2022.
United still plan to offload 'bomb squad' members Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia, but anticipate activity closer to the September 1 transfer deadline.
Article continues below
Chelsea have shown interest in Garnacho, while Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have had informal talks about a deal for Sancho. Malacia has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Sources within United have emphasised the need to sell senior players within the next year.