The latest Manchester United transfer news as they close in on signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Benjamin Sesko in action for RB Leipzig.
Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rarely has the pull of Manchester United been more pronounced than this summer, as the club competed at the top table in the Premier League to complete their business.
Matheus Cunha had his heart immediately set on United and, after his release clause at Wolves was triggered, the Old Trafford giants need not have worried about competition for his signature. Bryan Mbeumo was more of a challenge as clubs sniffed around him throughout the summer but, when push came to shove, the Cameroonian was invested on joining the United project instead of the lure of re-uniting with Thomas Frank at Tottenham.
However, arguably the biggest show of strength and of the club's vast stature has been the impending capture of Benjamin Sesko. A desperate Newcastle pulled out all the stops to bring the Slovenian to the north east but it was the pull of United - even without Champions League football on offer - that managed to swing him to Old Trafford.
Sesko landed in Manchester on Thursday evening, he is believed to have completed his medical on Friday and is preparing to be unveiled on Saturday prior to the pre-season fixture against Fiorentina. More than 60,000 tickets have been sold for the game, many bought in anticipation that Sesko will be there.
Arguably, the unveiling to supporters before a game at Old Trafford has become one of the most tried and tested techniques to show to new recruits the stature of the football club. Even more seasoned professionals have been taken aback by the warm welcome they have received on their official unveilings.
Prior to a clash with Leeds in 2021, Raphael Varane was unveiled to the United faithful after his £40million arrival from Real Madrid. Speaking after the special occasion, the Frenchman explained how he was blown away by the reaction to his unveiling.
The noise as Raphael Varane was introduced to the Manchester United crowd was electric.
The noise as Raphael Varane was introduced to the Manchester United crowd was electric.
"I came here because I wanted new emotions and that was exactly what I expected and bigger," the 2018 World Cup winner told United's official club media. "It was massive, a great moment, and I want to say to the fans thank you, and I will do my best to leave everything on the pitch."
While, on the face of it, it may seem like a small thing, a player like Sesko will soon understand the stature of the club when he is embraced by the Old Trafford faithful for the first time. So, if Sesko had any lingering doubts that United was not the right destination for him, then he won't have any after his unveiling.
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