Benjamin Sesko jets in for Man Utd medical as plans made to announce £74m transfer

Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko – under the noses of Newcastle – with the player now in the UK to complete his medical

Benjamin Sesko has touched down in the United Kingdom ahead of his £74million transfer to Manchester United. The RB Leipzig striker only saw his move to Old Trafford get the green light on Thursday afternoon, but has wasted no time travelling across Europe.

Sesko will sign a five year contract with the Red Devils, having sensationally snubbed a more lucrative offer from Premier League rivals Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s side opened the bidding war earlier this week, seeing a second offer worth £71m up front accepted.

However, the feeling was that the Slovenian was waiting on an offer from Manchester, which was launched on Wednesday. That deal will see Leipzig rake in £66.4m up front, add-ons of £7.6m and a friendly against the 20-time champions of England.

The Bundesliga side ultimately accepted that proposal, leaving the player to pick his preferred destination. That proved to be with Ruben Amorim, despite reports that Newcastle had offered him a bigger salary.

Sesko left Leipzig, in Eastern Germany at around 5.30pm on Thursday afternoon, with more than 10,000 eager supporters tracking its progress.

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With the player touched down in Manchester, it is now expected that he will complete his medical and sign his contract on Friday. He will then be officially presented to fans on Saturday, when his new team-mates face Fiorentina in their final pre-season match.

He will join Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who signed from Wolves and Brentford respectively, in a new look Manchester United attack worth more than £200m. Amorim made attacking reinforcements his number one priority this summer after a dismal season which saw them finish 15th and score just 44 league goals in the process.

Amorim’s attention can now turn towards a new midfield player, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba at the top of their wishlist. The 21-year-old is the latest Seagulls star tipped for massive things, following the sales of players like Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Joao Pedro.

Baleba has three years remaining on his deal at The Amex, with Brighton unwilling to sell at this point. Nevertheless, contact has been made via intermediaries with the Red Devils boss desperate to add extra dynamism in the middle of the park.

Sesko’s arrival could signal Rasmus Hojlund’s exit from the club just two years after his own blockbuster transfer. Hojlund, 22, arrived to much fanfare in the summer of 2023, signing from Atalanta in a deal worth an initial £64m.

However, he has struggled since arriving in the Premier League and now looks destined to be on the move before the end of the window. United are said to be willing to take a big hit on the forward, who is available for around £40m.

Marcus Rashford has already departed during the window after falling out of favour under Amorim. Alejandro Garnacho is also poised to exit, with Chelsea advancing in talks to sign the Argentine.

Antony, signed for £85m in 2022, is another high-profile summer signing with no future under the Red Devils boss. He spent the second half of last season in Spain with Real Betis, but is yet to secure a permanent exit.

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