Fabrizio Romano dropped an overlooked feature from Ineos’ approach to ensure that Manchester United would sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko ahead of Newcastle.
Benjamin Sesko had been linked with Manchester United and the Red Devils finally made a move for the Slovenian forward after they tabled a bid earlier this week.
The 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker has been subject to fierce transfer interest from Arsenal ahead of the Gunners’ acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
🚨🩺 Benjamin Šeško, set to undergo his medical ahead of signature of five year contract at Manchester United.
Process starting early morning as Šeško will be unveiled tomorrow at Old Trafford. 👋🏻 pic.twitter.com/QPi1XaqYA5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2025
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Sesko had also been on the radar for Newcastle and the Magpies had one bid rejected last week before returning with an improved offer for the striker.
Newcastle’s initial offer for the Slovenia international had been £65.4m and a further £4.3m in add-ons before it was revised to an initial fee of £69.7m plus add-ons.
However, it is believed that Sesko had preferred a move to United and the Red Devils became the favourites to land the Slovenian striker after entering the race.
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Manchester United and Newcastle target Benjamin Sesko during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena in 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
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Fabrizio Romano points out an interesting agreement in Man Utd’s deal with RB Leipzig for Newcastle target Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United and RB Leipzig on Thursday agreed a deal worth £73.7m for Benjamin Sesko, who is now set to arrive at Old Trafford ahead of the new season.
The Red Devils’ transfer for the Leipzig ace included an initial payment of £66.3m, with the remaining fee agreed as potential add-ons for Sesko’s United spell.
Sesko has been Manchester-bound after the former RB Salzburg striker had flown to the city and is expected to sign his contract and complete his medical on Friday.
The Newcastle-linked player’s transfer to Old Trafford is expected to be announced this week, with United in action on Saturday against Serie A outfit Fiorentina.
Fabrizio Romano took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared an eye-catching detail from Ineos’ deal with Leipzig for striker Sesko.
He revealed that the big-money transfer has add-ons that are “very easy to reach,” which was a key detail that Leipzig “wanted” in their agreement with United.
🚨🧨 The add-ons for Benjamin Šeško deal will be very easy to reach, as RB Leipzig wanted.
Manchester United will pay €76.5m fee plus €8.5m in very easy add-ons, bringing the package up to €85m almost guaranteed.
Šeško, ready to fly to Manchester. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/e9yVr7UqqI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2025
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Fabrizio Romano’s update on the Benjamin Sesko transfer shows Ineos’ clear-cut position over their pursuit of the RB Leipzig striker
United had been heavily linked with signing a striker for Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils faced the real risk of entering the forthcoming 2025-26 season without one.
However, Sesko is now set to become a Red Devils player and United manager Ruben Amorim now has much-needed firepower for his frontline attacking options.
Ineos might have entered the race late to sign the former Arsenal target, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team made sure that their first bid was effective and counted.
🚨✈️ EXCL: Benjamin Šeško and his agent Elvis Basanović, on the way to Manchester!
The first pic of Šeško since becoming new Manchester United player, the club he wanted.
He’s landing tonight, medical and signature Friday, unveiling Saturday. 👋🏻🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/bM31rr0Mgq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2025
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Newcastle had already floated an offer out there that would have seen Leipzig secure more money from the upfront fee for Sesko than what United offered.
However, the fact that United included easy add-on clauses allowed the Red Devils to hijack Newcastle’s approach and ensure the signing was done on the first attempt.
Ineos might not always make the right call with transfers, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co sure did deliver with the speed and efficiency that United have taken with Sesko.