Manchester United are set to finalise the £74million acquisition of Benjamin Sesko within the next 48 hours. The striker is en route to Manchester for a medical after RB Leipzig accepted United's bid, pushing the club's summer spending over the £200m mark. This development comes as a significant setback for Newcastle, who were leading the chase for the 22-year-old Slovenian but were rejected despite offering a higher bid and more lucrative wages.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had earmarked Sesko as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who is angling for a move to Liverpool. United have agreed on an initial deal worth £66.4m, with an additional £7.6m in add-ons. Sesko is expected to sign a five-year contract with weekly wages around £160,000.
That, per Spotrac, puts him below only seven United players. Casemiro is the highest earner on £350,000 a week but could still leave this summer. Bruno Fernandes, the captain, earns £300,000 weekly.
Wantaway winger Jadon Sancho is on £250,000 per week but should be moved on this month while Mason Mount is on the same salary. Matthijs de Ligt brings home £195,000 every seven days while Harry Maguire earns just shy of £190,000. Matheus Cunha, also signed this summer, earns around £180,000.
As part of the agreement, United have also committed to a future friendly match against Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena.
Sesko, who has netted 39 goals and provided eight assists in 87 appearances since his move from Red Bull Salzburg to Leipzig, will be United's third major summer signing, following Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
United manager Ruben Amorim has now successfully revamped his attacking line-up following a season that saw his team score a mere 44 league goals and finish 15th in the table.