Benjamin Sesko decided to snub Newcastle and join Manchester United in a £74million transfer this summer, despite the lack of European football on offer at Old Trafford
Benjamin Sesko has explained why he snubbed a move to Newcastle in favour of joining Manchester United. Sesko has become the latest addition to Ruben Amorim’s new-look attack after joining from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £74million.
Sesko had a decision to make after both United and Newcastle entered negotiations with Leipzig for the Slovenia international. The 22-year-old striker has always been clear that he preferred to move to Manchester and has now signed a five-year contract with the club.
United will pay the German side £66.4m up front plus a further £7.6m in potential add-ons, taking their spending in the summer transfer window to £207.5m, having already signed Matheus Cunha for £62.5m from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo for £71m from Brentford.
Amorim’s side won’t play any European football in the 2025/26 season, having finished 15th in the Premier League last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. Nevertheless, Sesko opted to join the rebuild project at Old Trafford, rather than continue to play in the Champions League by joining Newcastle.
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“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future,” he said. “When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon.
“From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions.
“I cannot wait to start learning from Ruben and connecting with my team-mates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together.”
Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 games across all competitions for Leipzig last season and will become United’s primary option at centre-forward. Amorim’s side scored just 44 goals in 38 league games in 2024/25, as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled to make an impact.
Sesko has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a few years and was previously a target for Arsenal. But the Gunners opted instead to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, leaving him with a choice between Newcastle and United.
It is not the first time this summer that the Magpies have missed out on a transfer target, with Hugo Ekitike heading for Liverpool rather than Tyneside. Eddie Howe’s side have managed to land Anthony Elanga, but are in a difficult position ahead of the start of the season next weekend after star striker Alexander Isak made it clear he wants to leave.
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