Benjamin Sesko’s agent has claimed Manchester United were always his dream club, playing down claims the player only failed to join Arsenal over money.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United acknowledges the fans, as he is unveiled to the fans after signing for the team, prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Arsenal are set to give Viktor Gyokeres his competitive debut against Manchester United this weekend, but the Gunners didn’t always seem so set on signing the Sporting CP striker this summer.
Before the end of the 2024/25, it seemed possible Arsenal would pursue a move for Alexander Isak. But such a deal was only on the cards if Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League. When that didn’t happen, the Gunners turned elsewhere.
After that, there was a long back and forth between Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal holding talks for both strikers before making their final decision.
Viktor Gyokeres signing for Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Amid reports that Sesko and RB Leipzig were asking for too much money from Arsenal, the player’s agent Elvis Basanovic has insisted Sesko always wanted to join Manchester United anyway.
“It’s hard to say exactly,” Basanovic said. “Whenever a deal doesn’t go through, there are always several factors. In the end, everything has to align for it to happen.
“What’s important here is that Benjamin’s wish, for years now, has always been Manchester United. And for United, he was even willing to take a pay cut to make the move happen. As his agent, I wanted to make that wish come true.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: New signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United pose for a photo while holding match shirts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Amusingly, there have also been recent reports that Sesko’s camp offered to lower their demands for Arsenal, once they realised that the Gunners were moving forward with a deal for Gyokeres instead.
The Athletic reported that Sesko’s representatives initially took an aggressive and off-putting negotiating stance with Arsenal, but they made concessions when Arsenal turned to Gyokeres. By that time, it was reportedly “arguably too late”.
Sesko will now line up for Manchester United against a club he could have joined this summer, with Arsenal travelling to Old Trafford on Sunday.
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