Manchester United are set to snap up a new striker after agreeing a deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim wants more goals from his Manchester United squad, and summer recruitment has almost entirely revolved around attacking solutions.
Matheus Cunha joined United from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer, before Bryan Mbeumo arrived at Old Trafford from Brentford.
Cunha and Mbeumo are likely to play in number 10 roles moving forward, and Amorim has also targeted a new centre-forward.
Joshua Zirkzee looked more impressive as a number 10 last season, and Rasmus Hojlund managed just four Premier League goals.
United have been chasing a new striker, and now appear to be on the verge of a significant signing.
Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring for RB Leipzig.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko’s agent makes sacrifice for Manchester United transfer
United have agreed to sign Benjamin Sesko in a big-money move from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Newcastle were looking to sign Sesko, but United have managed to win the race with a huge deal.
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United will pay £66.3million as a fixed fee with £7.3million in add-ons, potentially taking the deal to around £73.6million.
That will take United’s attacking investment to over £200million if all add-ons are met, but Sesko and his agent have made financial sacrifices.
As reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Sesko has agreed to ‘waive’ part of his salary, despite having the chance to earn even more money at Newcastle.
Additionally, agent Elvis Basanovic is understood to have sacrificed some of his commission in order to facilitate a move.
Both Sesko and Basanovic were so keen to strike a deal that they made financial sacrifices in order to join United.
Sesko will now sign a five-year deal and become United’s new striking threat, which may just bring some questions over Rasmus Hojlund’s future.
🚨🔴 Excl. detail | To make the deal with Manchester United possible, Benjamin #Sesko has agreed to waive part of his salary — he could have earned more at Newcastle.
His agency, led by Elvis Basanovic, has also given up a significant share of the commission. This was necessary… pic.twitter.com/rCXWh8QZ48
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 7, 2025
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Arsenal stance on Sesko and Basanovic
United have struck deals with Sesko and Basanovic, even convincing the duo to sacrifice money to make the deal happen.
Arsenal looked into signing Sesko earlier this summer, but their experience with Basanovic wasn’t exactly the same.
The Athletic report that Sesko’s wages and Basanovic’s commission for the deal were considered ‘too high’ for Arsenal.
The Gunners believed that Sesko is still a work in progress, and therefore didn’t want to pay big money in wages and agent fees.
Basanovic is thought to have offered ‘concessions’ on the initial offer, but Arsenal didn’t find chemistry with Sesko’s agent and moved on to Viktor Gyokeres.
United have managed to strike a deal, and it seems perfect that Sesko’s United debut could come against Arsenal to start the Premier League season.