Sesko

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim accepts £73.7m striker Benjamin Sesko has struggled at times in his first few weeks at the club but urged him not to take criticism from club legends personally.

Sesko has scored two goals in his first 11 appearances for United.

He last found the net against Sunderland at Old Trafford on 4 October and his performance at Nottingham Forest last weekend prompted former skipper Gary Neville to declare the Slovenia international was “miles off it” compared to fellow new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Amorim does accept there is substance to Neville’s comments. However, he also feels they lack the context of Sesko moving to a new league at the age of 22, having only spent two seasons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.

“I’m relaxed,” he said. “[But] he’s not relaxed.

“I understand how things are in football and he’s going to struggle. That is normal. He has no experience here.

“The first impact [is] when everyone says that you are so good, you are the next big thing and you hear that about Sesko.

“Then you come to one club that is the hardest club. If you don’t perform every week, you are going to hear a lot of things from club legends, from pundits, from the media – and sometimes they are right.

“Of course, nobody likes to hear but he struggled a little bit, and that is a fact. So, let’s embrace that.

“It is hard to hear but it’s not personal. It’s an opinion that is going to change in three weeks. Everything that is true today, in three weeks, could be a lie.”

Sesko is understood to be spending huge amounts of time at United’s Carrington training ground as he gets an understanding of the performance levels he is delivering compared to those he is required to meet.

He often arrives more than 90 minutes earlier than the normal meeting time of 09:45 and does not leave until 16:00, long after most of his team-mates.

United sources remain confident they made the right decision to sign Sesko, while at the same time sending Rasmus Hojlund on loan to Napoli, even though the Dane has scored four times in nine appearances for the Italian champions.

“Ben is a young kid, a control freak,” said Amorim.

“He wants to control everything – and he’s not going to control everything.

“He has more potential than I was thinking [but] we need to understand how he likes to play and also to put in our ideas.

“I’m quite relaxed with that. He is going to be our striker for the long term but he’s going to have these struggles and these bumps during the ride. That is a normal thing in football.”

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim backs striker Benjamin Sesko to find his feet at Old Trafford and insists his early “struggles” are “normal” amid the scrutiny the Red Devils face from the media and “club legends”.

READ MORE: ‘Control freak’ Sesko should ignore critics – Amorim

The Slovenia striker was also a target for Newcastle United, having scored 39 times in two years for RP Leipzig.

Manchester United have signed Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko from Germany’s RB Leipzig on a contract until 2030, the Premier League club have announced.

The transfer fee is 76.5 million euros ($89m) with 8.5 million euros ($9.9m) in bonuses.

The 22-year-old, who joined Leipzig from the Austrian club RB Salzburg in 2023, scored 39 goals in 87 appearances across all competitions for the German side.

“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special, but what really excites me is the future,” Sesko said upon completing the deal on Saturday.

“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 [manager] Ruben [Amorim] and connecting with my teammates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together.”

Manchester United, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, have also signed forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for the new campaign, which starts at home against Arsenal on August 17.

It was only ever United. pic.twitter.com/JpzKueYSIc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 9, 2025

Sesko had also been a target for Newcastle United, who are actively seeking replacements for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.

“Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football,” Jason Wilcox, Man Utd’s director of football, said in the club’s announcement.

“We have followed Benjamin’s career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United.

“Working under the guidance of Ruben and our excellent performance team, Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his world-class potential.

“The desire that all of our new signings have shown to join the club this summer highlights the appeal and stature of Manchester United, as we continue to build and develop a team capable of challenging for the biggest honours.”

Current United strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scored just 18 goals between them in all competitions last term as United fell to a club-record 18 losses in the Premier League era and its lowest points total of 42.

Only four teams scored fewer goals than United in the top flight last term — including the three relegated clubs – as the 20-time English champion recorded its lowest finish in the modern era when it placed 15th, just three places above the relegation zone.

Sesko has been compared to former Paris Saint-Germain and United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic because of his height – both are 1.95 meters (6 feet, 5 inches) tall – and flashes of technical skill.

Of his goals, the striker has six goals in 28 Champions League games for Leipzig and his previous club Salzburg. He has also tallied 16 goals in 41 games for Slovenia.

Manchester United have completed the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in a deal worth £73.7m.

The five-year contract includes a guaranteed payment of £66.3m, with the remainder in add-ons.

The Slovenia international is United’s third major signing in attack following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha for £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo for £65m with £6m in add-ons.

Sesko, 22, was also a target for Newcastle United but has chosen to join Ruben Amorim’s side.

“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future,” said Sesko.

“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.”

Manchester United are on the verge of signing Slovenian international striker Benjamin Sesko from RP Leipzig.

Manchester United have agreed a deal worth up to 85 million euros ($99m) to sign striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, according to multiple reports in England.

United will reportedly pay an initial 76.5 million euros ($89m) for the 22-year-old with a further 8.5 million euros ($9.9m) due in add-ons.

Newcastle United were also interested in signing the Slovenian, possibly to replace wantaway star Alexander Isak, a target for Liverpool.

However, Sesko has been wooed by the enduring stature of the 20-time English champions, despite a lack of European football in the coming season.

His arrival will complete an overhaul of the Red Devils’ blunt attack.

Only four other teams scored fewer than United’s 44 goals in 38 Premier League games last season as the English giants endured their worst campaign for 51 years, finishing 15th in the table.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were signed earlier in the window, taking United’s total spend on forwards in recent months to more than 200 million pounds ($268.6m).

Sesko had also previously been linked with Arsenal after impressing during his two-year spell in Germany, where he scored 39 times in 87 appearances for Leipzig, including 21 last season.

Standing 1.95 metres (6ft 4ins) tall, Sesko’s towering physique, electric pace and eye for goal have earned comparisons with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Like Haaland, he also made his name at RB Salzburg before moving to Germany in 2023.

United are banking on Sesko realising his abundant potential to fire them back into contention at the top of the Premier League table.

Between them, Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo combined for 58 goals last season.

The massive outlay on their arrivals needs to bear fruit quickly, with United under pressure to meet financial sustainability rules, especially without the revenue of European football this season.

Benjamin Sesko tops the summer’s transfer targets, with striker’s club Leipzig revealing ‘concrete interest’.

Premier League sides Manchester United and Newcastle have both placed competing bids for in-demand RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, German tabloid Bild reported Tuesday.

Bild said the Red Devils made an initial bid of 85 million euros ($98.2) on Tuesday for the 22-year-old centre forward.

Newcastle had offered a reported 80 million euros ($92.4) for the striker on Saturday, upping that to 85 million ($98.2) with bonuses on Monday.

The Slovenian striker scored 13 goals and laid on five assists in a disappointing league campaign for Leipzig last season. He has scored 16 times in 41 appearances at the international level.

Sesko was stood down from Saturday’s home friendly against Serie A side Atalanta, won 2-1 by the visitors, due to a potential transfer.

Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer confirmed this, saying Sesko would not play “due to the very concrete interests from several clubs”.

United are rebuilding after their worst top-flight campaign in 51 years, along with defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

United were toothless in attack and have already brought in forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the summer window.

Sesko’s arrival could push under-pressure striker Rasmus Hojlund towards the exit, with reports emerging that United could sell the Denmark forward for 35 million ($40.4) euros, less than half of what they paid to bring him from Atalanta in 2023.

Newcastle qualified for the Champions League with a fifth-placed finish last season, but are reportedly in danger of losing striker Alexander Isak to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Newcastle back in for Marc Guehi, Benjamin Sesko playing off Newcastle and Manchester United, and David Moyes wants six more signings

Newcastle are set to revive their interest in England defender Marc Guehi with a £40m offer, while Crystal Palace value the 25-year-old at £50m. (Times – subscription required), external

RB Leipzig’s Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 22, is playing Newcastle and Manchester United off against each other in a game of transfer poker. (Bild – in German), external

Manager David Moyes wants up to six more signings for Everton, including two central midfielders and two wide players. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Tottenham have been told they will have to pay 30m euros (£26m) to sign Spanish midfielder Marc Casado, 21, from Barcelona. (Sport – in Spanish), external

Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, wants to stay at Real Madrid amid interest from Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool. (AS – in Spanish), external

Crystal Palace face competition from Juventus for Girona’s 22-year-old Spanish right-back Arnau Martinez. (Tuttosport – in Italian), external

Napoli and Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste, 25, is leaning towards a return to Ipswich Town rather than move to Burnley or Saudi Arabia. (Gianlucadimarzio.com – in Italian), external

Stuttgart are working on a deal to sign 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira from Arsenal. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Wissa situation ‘not ideal’

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has given an update on the future of Yoane Wissa.

The striker is allegedly refusing to play for the club after the Bees rejected an offer from Newcastle, who then pulled out of signing him.

Andrews said: “The situation is that he is training at the training ground.

“It’s probably public knowledge at this stage that he left our training camp in Lisbon. That was probably the right decision for all parties. We had to support him in what is a difficult time for him.

“I think we have to remember that it’s not just about being a footballer, it’s the person and the human being first. 

“Again, it’s public knowledge that there is some interest in Wiss. We have to respect that and respect him.

“I have got a really good relationship with Yoane from last season and that’s still the case now, but obviously it’s not ideal.

“We have constant communication with Yoane around the situation. I think he’s OK to a point.

“When you look at the business we’ve done this season, the outgoings have been done early.

“This is probably not wanted or desired, certainly from my point of view. It’s not an ideal scenario but it’s what the transfer window is.”

He’s not for sale, Main

Manchester United have reportedly performed a U-turn on the prospect of selling Kobbie Mainoo to help balance the books.

That’s according to former club scout Mick Brown, who told Football Insider: “There are a number of players Man United want to get rid of.

“From what I understand, Kobbie Mainoo is not one of them after a change of mind.

“The likes of Garnacho, Sancho and the others who have been left out of training in pre-season, that’s who the club are looking to raise money from.

“In my opinion, they should never have been considering letting Kobbie Mainoo go, it was a crazy idea.

“After he didn’t sign that new contract, it looked like he had decided he wanted to leave.

“That interest didn’t really come as heavily as they maybe expected, but I won’t complain about that.

“From what I hear, he’s going to be happy to stay into the new season and hopes he’ll be a bigger part of the team as Amorim is going to use him more regularly.”

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim admitted he could not guarantee Rasmus Hojlund’s Old Trafford future – despite the Dane’s dazzling display in the Windy City.

Hojlund opened the scoring in the 4-1 trouncing of Bournemouth before creating space for the third – which he claimed but was not awarded – when Amad Diallo fired through a crowd and into the net.

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The £72million man’s goal came as United stepped up their attempts to land RB Leipzig’s Slovenian ace Benjamin Sesko as their new first-choice No9.

And while he was full of praise for Hojlund’s contribution, Old Trafford chief Amorim conceded: “I am really happy with Rasmus, but I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the market.

“The important thing is that the strikers that are here are working really well, are improving, are helping the team and that is the most important thing.”

Amorim added: “People focus on the goals and we have suffered a lot because of the lack of goals.

“But it’s not just the goals with Rasmus. It’s also about the way he connects the play.

“Every time we have to clear the ball, we are doing so under pressure.

“His ability to hold the defender off and to connect with the support is helping us a lot to play better.

“And we are playing better because he is playing better.”

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United were far too good for the sub-par Cherries, with the excellent Patrick Dorgu storming through to claim the second and teenage substitute Ethan Williams netting the fourth with his first touch.

Bournemouth’s reply was a late own goal by Matthijs de Ligt, who had replaced Harry Maguire at half-time, but Amorim allayed concerns about the England centre-back.

He explained: “He had an issue during the holidays, during training.

“Harry’s come a little bit late, so we have to be careful with him. It’s just a little bit of fatigue with the training.

“We are trying to control everything and saving all the players to give them the exact number of minutes they need.”

Fatigue was also the reason that Brazilian Matheus Cunha was not involved at Soldier Field, but a delighted Amorim said: “It was a good game.

“We played with intensity. We were aggressive and that is something that we needed to improve on from last season.

“Overall, we had better possessions compared to the last game, so they are listening.

“Of course, scoring first in the beginning of the game can change the confidence of the team. It was a good test, a good day.

“It was just a pre-season game. But if you look at us, at the same players from last year, it looks like a different team and that is a good sign.”

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Manchester United are willing to accept a reduced fee in the region of £17m for Jadon Sancho, 25, with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus interested in the England winger. (Mail), external

United have ended their interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, with the Senegal forward demanding too much in wages. (Mirror), external

Napoli want Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish, 29, but would struggle to meet his wage demands, and also have Chelsea and England winger Raheem Sterling, 30, and Manchester United’s Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho, 21, on their list of targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

United are keen to offload Garnacho and have spoken to Aston Villa and Chelsea about the possibility of striking a deal. (Independent) , external

Everton are prioritising a move for Juventus and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, before acting on their interest in Grealish. (GiveMeSport), external

Manchester United have placed Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, 29, at the top of a two-man striker shortlist with RB Leipzig and Slovenia frontman Benjamin Sekso, 22, the second option. (Sun), external

Manchester City have informed German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, 32, that he can leave the club following the arrival of James Trafford from Burnley. (Fabrizio Romano), external

West Ham are eyeing Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira, 25, who joined Arsenal in 2022 but spent last season on loan at Porto. (Ben Jacobs), external

Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 29, wants to reunite with boyhood club Leeds. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign 17-year-old striker Will Wright from Salford City. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Portuguese side Famalicao are interested in Tottenham’s English midfielder Tyrese Hall, 19, who attracted interest from Championship clubs in January. (Sky Sports), external

Leeds have missed out on Igor Paixao, 25, despite lodging an improved second bid with Feyenoord as the Brazilian winger looks set to join Marseille. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move for Fulham and Spain winger Adama Traore, 29, who previously worked with manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Forest are also on the verge of signing Switzerland international Dan Ndoye, 24, on a long-term contract for a club-record fee after he informed Bologna of his desire to play in the Premier League. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

If Forest beat Napoli to Ndoye’s signature, the Italian club could step up their interest in Manchester City’s Grealish or Manchester United’s 21-year-old Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho. (Sun), external

Everton are interested in Lyon’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 27, who they previously targeted in 2021 when the England midfielder was at Arsenal. (Sky Sports), external

Chelsea have no intention of selling Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 27, amid speculation with clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Football London), external

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, is a top target for Chelsea and the Blues are ready to offer England defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 27, and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, as well as a fee to secure a deal. (Football Insider), external

Bayern Munich are the only club to express an interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, but the Netherlands international prefers a move to the Premier League. (Bild – in German), external

Liverpool, Everton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are set to miss out on highly rated 20-year-old Frenchman Nathan Zeze, with the Nantes defender preferring a move to Saudi Pro League side Neom SC. (Sun), external

Everton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are battling it out for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, who wants to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester United’s English midfielder Toby Collyer, 21, is open to a loan move away from Old Trafford after making 13 appearances last season. (Daily Mail), external

Rangers have emerged as favourites to sign English winger Mikey Moore, 17, on loan from Tottenham. (Matt Law – Telegraph) , external

Celtic and Strasbourg have submitted offers for Manchester City’s 19-year-old English defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool are ready to break the British transfer record again for Alexander Isak, but Al-Hilal are also preparing a huge bid for the Sweden striker, while Newcastle are lining up Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement, plus more.

Liverpool are poised to make a British record bid for Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25. (Mail+ – subscription required), external

But Saudi side Al-Hilal are also currently preparing a bid, understood to be more than £130m, for Isak after he was omitted from Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour of Singapore. (Talksport), external

Chelsea and Manchester United have ruled out a move for Isak, with the latter having already spent big on Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 26, and Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, 25. (Mail), external

Newcastle have turned their attention to Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko with the 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker the main target should Isak leave. (ipaper), external

Aston Villa have told Manchester United striker Ollie Watkins is not for sale, despite interest in the 29-year-old Englishman from the Old Trafford club. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Newly promoted Leeds United have agreed a deal with Lyon for goalkeeper Lucas Perri worth £15.6m, with the 27-year-old Brazilian expected to undergo a medical at the Whites’ pre-season training camp in Germany. (Mail), external

Bayern Munich are set to bid again for Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz. The Merseyside club are aware of the 28-year-old’s desire to leave and talks will continue. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Liverpool have offered French defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, a new contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid, who are keen to sign him this summer or next. (Footmercato – in French), external

Brazil international Douglas Luiz, 27, failed to report for the first day of pre-season training at Juventus on Thursday as West Ham, Everton and Liverpool all have interest in the midfielder. (Gazetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Chelsea’s English winger Raheem Sterling, 30, has emerged as one of a number of forward targets for Italian champions Napoli. (Calciomercarto – in Italian), external

Liverpool attacker Harvey Elliott is open to leaving the Anfield club, with interest in the 22-year-old England youth international from West Ham. (Metro), external

Spurs are considering a £15m offer from LAFC for captain Son Heung-min as the 33-year-old South Korean mulls over his future. (Sun), external

Real Madrid are open to loaning 19-year-old forward Endrick to another team to avoid hindering his progress, but the Brazilian would prefer to fight for his place at the Bernabeu. (ESPN), external

Real Madrid hopeful of move for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate on a free next summer, Arsenal still keen on Viktor Gyokeres but could instead opt for Benjamin Sesko, Rasmus Hojlund tipped for Inter Milan move.

Real Madrid are hoping to snap up Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, on a free transfer next summer, when the Frenchman’s contract is due to expire. (Marca – in Spanish), external

Arsenal are actively pursuing moves for Sporting’s Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, and RB Leipzig’s Slovenia attacker Benjamin Sesko, 22, though will only sign one forward this summer. (Mirror), external

However, Arsenal think the asking price for Gyokeres is too high so will focus on signing Sesko or Aston Villa’s England forward Ollie Watkins, 29. (Record – in Portuguese), external

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, has emerged as a top target for Serie A side Inter Milan. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

The Old Trafford side have decided to keep hold of Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester United made contact with representatives of French striker Hugo Ekitike, 22, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, this weekend. (Bild), external

Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham are all keeping tabs on Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, after the Argentine was told to find a new club. (Mail), external

Al-Hilal have improved their offer to Napoli striker and Manchester United target Victor Osimhen, 26, proposing a deal with an annual salary worth up to £42.6m. (Goal, external)

AC Milan have opened talks with Arsenal over signing the Gunners’ Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, 28. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Multiple enquiries have been made from Premier League and Serie A clubs about the availability of Bayer Leverkusen’s Czech striker Patrik Schick, 29. (Sky Germany via Florian Plettenberg), external

Paris St-Germain have agreed personal terms with Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi, 22, and are in talks over a fee with the Ukrainian’s club. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Galatasaray have made an offer for 33-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. (Sport – in Spanish), external

Portuguese giants Porto want to buy Southampton’s English winger Tyler Dibling, 19. (Record – in Portuguese), external