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This is not only an expensive contract, but also proof that Old Trafford's appeal is still intact, despite the gap with the top group and the Champions League spot.
A well-timed strike
Newcastle entered the fray with an offer close to £71.5m upfront - a figure that led many to believe Sesko would be heading to the North East. But United, under the coordination of the Ineos staff, chose to "concede the field" for their rivals to make the first bid, then make the decisive move when it was certain that Sesko was leaning towards Old Trafford.
The final deal with RB Leipzig was worth €85m (£73.7m), with £66.4m up front and the rest in easy-to-achieve bonuses. Leipzig were even given a bonus of a friendly, which could bring in €2m, and a percentage clause if United were to resell Sesko in the future. It was a package that was both financially attractive and cleverly tailored to the player’s wishes.
The reason Sesko is considered a crucial piece is because MU only scored 44 goals in the Premier League last season - ranked 16th in the league. Ruben Amorim knows the problem, and this summer, he quickly created a new trio of Sesko - Matheus Cunha - Bryan Mbeumo.
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Manchester United have finally completed one of the most high-profile deals of the summer of 2025 with a win over Newcastle to sign Benjamin Sesko. |
However, when a young and promising “number 9” like Sesko arrives, the future of Rasmus Hojlund is immediately questioned. MU is willing to listen to offers for the Danish striker, although he still wants to stay and compete. This could be the first personnel problem that Amorim has to solve right before the season starts.
Ineos' mark and strategic shift
What makes the Sesko deal special is not just the value, but the way MU approached it. The trio of Jason Wilcox - Christopher Vivell - Matt Hargreaves worked closely with General Director Omar Berrada, patiently building plans B and C when the initial target (Liam Delap) moved to Chelsea. The move to Mbeumo, Cunha and finally Sesko shows a MU that is less impulsive, instead cool and planned.
More importantly, it’s a move that demonstrates Ineos’s influence. After a series of turbulent summers, the club is showing they know what they want and what they will do to get it.
Spending over £214m in the summer - taking the total spending for the 2024/25 financial year to over £340m - means United will still have to sell players to maintain their financial balance sheet (PSR). The "out" list includes Garnacho, Antony, Sancho and Malacia. Of these, Garnacho is the most valuable "card", with Chelsea closely monitoring.
In addition, Marcus Rashford - the highest paid player in the team - moving to Barca on loan significantly reduces the pressure on the salary fund, creating space for new contracts like Sesko.
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Sesko is only 22 years old, with clear potential, but signing him is not a one-way ticket to success. |
Sesko is only 22 years old, with obvious potential, but signing him is not a one-way ticket to success. MU's history has witnessed famous deals that ended badly: from Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez to Cristiano Ronaldo's second phase. The difference this time is that Sesko comes in a context where the team has a clear direction, instead of "grabbing" a star to put out the fire.
Surpassing Newcastle - a team that ranked 10 places above MU last season - is a message: "The Red Devils" are still able to attract top talent if they know how to hit the right time and the player's needs. With Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo and young defender Diego Leon, MU enters the new season with the most profound squad reform in many years.
This weekend’s friendly against Fiorentina, with more than 50,000 tickets already sold, could be an ideal debut for Sesko. But more importantly, it will be an opportunity for Ineos to make a statement: they are not just new owners, but people determined enough to change a club once seen as resting on its laurels.
Source: https://znews.vn/toan-canh-chien-thang-cua-mu-truoc-newcastle-trong-vu-sesko-post1575078.html
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