Manchester United’s summer headline signing, Benjamin Sesko, might never have worn the famous red shirt if not for a bold intervention from his agent. The 22-year-old Slovenia international officially completed his £74 million ($100m) transfer from RB Leipzig on August 9, signing a five-year deal and instantly becoming one of the most talked-about arrivals in the Premier League.
Newcastle United were circling, eyeing Sesko as a potential replacement should Alexander Isak leave amid interest from Liverpool. But while United ultimately won the race, the deal almost collapsed over money. According to Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, it was only a personal financial sacrifice that bridged the gap between the two clubs’ valuations.
“At one point, the clubs were far apart on the valuation,” Basanovic told Slovenian outlet POP! TV’s 24UR. “United had reached the limit of their budget for the transfer. On the other side, Leipzig had demands and expectations which were higher based on Benjamin’s value. That created a gap that needed to be solved. At one point I decided to give up part of my own fee, to bridge the gap, because I felt it was the right thing to do. For me, a player’s wishes and dreams should always come before the agent’s interests.”
It’s an unusually candid admission in a sport where agents are often painted as self-serving middlemen. In this case, however, Basanovic’s decision ensured Sesko’s dream move went through.
The making of a modern No. 9
For Manchester United, Sesko represents both a gamble and a statement of intent. At just 22, he arrives as one of Europe’s most highly regarded young forwards. His journey began at Red Bull Salzburg, where his raw talent quickly became clear: 29 goals in 79 games for the Austrian side, including standout performances in the Champions League, marked him out as a star in the making.
The Red Bull pipeline then sent him to Leipzig, where he refined his game. Across 87 matches in Germany, Sesko found the net 39 times, including 21 goals in the 2024-25 season — his true breakout year. Tall, athletic, and technically sharp, he combines the aerial presence of a traditional target man with the pace and intelligence needed to thrive in modern, transitional football.
For United supporters, he offers something they’ve craved for years: a centre-forward who can both hold up play and score consistently.
Amorim’s belief and a quick introduction
United boss Ruben Amorim wasted no time in throwing his new striker into the spotlight. Confirming Sesko is “ready” to face Arsenal in Sunday’s early-season showdown, Amorim signaled that this is not a signing for tomorrow — it’s one for right now.
Alongside fellow summer recruits Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Sesko is part of an attacking reshuffle that aims to bring fluidity, depth, and goals to Old Trafford. For Amorim, who is tasked with restoring United to the top end of the Premier League table, Sesko is expected to be both a focal point and a difference-maker.
The choice of Arsenal as his potential debut opponent adds another layer of intrigue. It’s one of the league’s fiercest modern rivalries, and an early chance for Sesko to demonstrate he can handle the pressure of English football.
The significance of sacrifice
Transfers at this level often feel like inevitable outcomes of financial power. Yet Sesko’s arrival at Old Trafford carries a rare human element — his agent’s personal sacrifice. Basanovic’s decision to waive part of his fee highlights not just his client’s ambition, but also the urgency Manchester United felt in securing the deal.
United’s pursuit of Sesko underlines their recognition of a long-standing problem: the lack of a reliable, top-level striker since the departures of Robin van Persie and, briefly, Romelu Lukaku. Sesko’s arrival, even at a hefty price, speaks to a desire to finally end that drought.
And for Sesko himself, it validates the belief many scouts and analysts have held for years — that he has the potential to lead the line for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
For all the hype, adaptation remains the key question. The Premier League has a habit of testing even the most gifted imports. Sesko will need time to adjust to the pace and physicality, though his Bundesliga experience should ease that transition.
There’s also the expectation. At £74m, every touch will be scrutinized. United fans will hope for an immediate impact, but the reality is that even elite strikers often require patience. His track record suggests he
