Manchester United plan to unveil Benjamin Sesko to the Old Trafford crowd before Saturday's friendly against Fiorentina, according to a report.
The Red Devils have pipped Newcastle United to the signature of the Slovenia international, who is set to join Ruben Amorim's side in a deal that could fetch up to €85m (£73.6m).
Man United are expected to pay an upfront fee of €76.5m (£66.3m) for Sesko, while Leipzig could pocket another €8.5m (£7.4m) through easily achievable performance-related add-ons.
Sesko is already understood to have flown to the UK in order to undergo his medical and sign his contract with the 20-time English champions, who face Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday lunchtime.
According to The Mirror, the Red Devils intend to introduce the 22-year-old to the Old Trafford crowd before kickoff, meaning that an official announcement should be made within the coming hours.
Man United to 'unveil' Sesko before Fiorentina friendly
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig before his side's match against Werder Bremen, on January 12, 2025
Sesko will become Man United's third marquee attacking addition of the summer, following Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford as the club's spending edges closer to the £200m mark.
The former Red Bull Salzburg starlet was previously heavily linked with a switch to Arsenal, who had also pursued him in the summer of 2024 before he signed a contract extension with RB Leipzig.
The Gunners were in talks with their German counterparts over a deal this time around too, but they switched their attention to Viktor Gyokeres due to Leipzig's apparent excessive demands for Sesko.
The Slovenian was also the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but he had no interest in leaving Europe at this stage of his career, and he gave his priority to Man United despite firm interest from Newcastle.
Sesko will leave Leipzig with a record of 39 goals and eight assists from 87 appearances for the Bundesliga powerhouses in all competitions, including 21 strikes and six helpers from 45 games in 2024-25.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund pictured on December 15, 2024
While Sesko may still be in the embryonic stages of his career and unproven in the Premier League, the expectation is that the 6ft 4in marksman will immediately become Amorim's new first-choice centre-forward.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee shared that responsibility last season with limited success, and it has been little surprise to see both men being linked with a departure this summer.
AC Milan are thought to be making the most serious attempt to sign Hojlund, who is also on the radar of Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen, but the Dane is determined to stay at Man United and prove himself.
Meanwhile, talk of Zirkzee leaving the club has quietened down significantly over the past several weeks, and the Dutchman is also likely to continue fighting for his place at the Theatre of Dreams.
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