Transfer News: Manchester United Gain Edge in Pursuit of Benjamin Šeško as RB Leipzig Lower Transfer Fee
Manchester United’s search for a new No. 9 has taken a significant step forward, with RB Leipzig reportedly reducing their asking price for star striker Benjamin Šeško to €70 million (£60.6 million). The 22-year-old Slovenian, long admired by the Red Devils, has emerged as a prime target for manager Rúben Amorim as the club looks to bolster its attacking options for the 2025/26 season.
With Arsenal stepping aside to pursue Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, United are well-positioned to capitalize on Leipzig’s willingness to negotiate, potentially securing a transformative signing. This article explores Šeško’s rise, United’s interest, and the implications of this reported discount, based on verified reports from credible sources.
Šeško’s Journey to Stardom
Benjamin Šeško’s rise began in his hometown of Radeče, Slovenia, where he scored prolifically as a youth player for NK Radeče.
By age 13, he joined NK Domžale’s academy, where his 6ft 5in frame, speed, and technical ability drew attention. In 2019, at 16, he signed with Red Bull Salzburg for €2.5 million, a move facilitated by Christopher Vivell, now United’s head of scouting. Šeško honed his skills on loan at FC Liefering, scoring 22 goals in 44 games, before breaking into Salzburg’s first team in 2021. Over two seasons, he contributed 29 goals and 11 assists in 79 appearances, helping Salzburg win three Austrian Bundesliga titles and one Austrian Cup.
In 2023, Šeško joined RB Leipzig for €24 million, making an immediate impact. During the 2023–24 season, he scored 18 goals across all competitions, including 14 in 31 Bundesliga matches, becoming the youngest player to score in seven consecutive Bundesliga games at 20 years and 353 days. In the 2024–25 season, he added 10 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances and 4 in 8 UEFA Champions League games, with standout strikes against Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen. His performances have solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s top young forwards, with Sky Sports noting his rare combination of physicality and technical skill.
International Breakthrough
Šeško debuted for Slovenia in 2021 at age 18, becoming the nation’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer with a strike against Malta in a World Cup qualifier. His performances at Euro 2024 further highlighted his potential, earning praise from Slovenia’s sporting community for being the country’s first true striker star, as reported by Sky Sports.
Manchester United’s Striker Search
Manchester United’s attacking struggles in the 2024–25 Premier League season, where they scored only 44 goals in 38 matches, have underscored the need for a reliable centre-forward.
Current forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed just 7 Premier League goals combined, prompting Rúben Amorim to prioritize a new No. 9. United have already signed Wolverhampton’s Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo for up to £71 million, but Amorim seeks a dynamic, clinical striker to lead his 3-4-2-1 system. Šeško, with 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig, is seen as an ideal fit due to his physicality, pressing ability, and goal-scoring prowess.
United’s interest in Šeško dates back to 2022, when he was at Salzburg, but he opted for Leipzig to continue his development. The club’s renewed pursuit is bolstered by Christopher Vivell, who scouted Šeško during Leipzig’s 3–2 win over Wolfsburg in April 2025 and has maintained close ties with the player’s camp, according to CaughtOffside.
Leipzig’s Reduced Asking Price for Benjamin
Earlier in the 2025 transfer window, Leipzig valued Šeško at €80–100 million, with Arsenal reportedly agreeing personal terms before shifting focus to Gyökeres.
However, The Standard reports that Leipzig have now lowered their asking price to €70 million (£60.6 million), with flexible payment terms that could appeal to United, who are managing financial constraints after significant summer spending. Bild notes that Leipzig’s need to raise €100 million through player sales, including Šeško and midfielder Xavi Simons, has driven this discount. The club’s failure to qualify for European football in 2025–26 further increases the likelihood of Šeško’s departure.
According to CaughtOffside, United’s head of scouting, Christopher Vivell, is spearheading negotiations, leveraging his prior relationship with Šeško from Salzburg and Leipzig. Leipzig’s willingness to negotiate at a reduced fee, compared to the €80 million release clause reported by TransferFeed, positions United favorably, especially as Šeško is reportedly open to joining a Premier League club without European football, per Football365.
Despite the reduced fee, United’s ability to sign Šeško depends on player sales to fund the transfer. The Telegraph reports that the club is struggling to find buyers for players like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, who recently joined Barcelona on loan. Other targets, such as Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, remain on United’s radar, but Šeško’s youth and potential make him a priority, as noted by TEAMtalk.
Competition from other clubs, including Liverpool, who were linked after Šeško followed their Instagram account, and Chelsea, has diminished, with Arsenal’s withdrawal further clearing the path for United, according to Manchester Evening News. However, Šeško’s earlier expressed desire to play for Real Madrid, as reported in December 2023, suggests he has high ambitions, which United must match with a compelling project under Amorim.
Šeško’s potential arrival could transform United’s attack. His 6ft 5in frame, speed, and ability to run at defenses from deep, combined with his technical finesse, align with Amorim’s vision for a dynamic forward, as highlighted by Sky Sports. His 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions in 2024–25 demonstrate his readiness for the Premier League. Analyst Statman Dave described him as “elite,” and his agent, Elvis Basanovic, emphasized his unique qualities, stating, “Sesko is not competing with anyone. It’s him vs him every day.”
The transfer would also signal United’s intent to rebuild around young, high-potential players. With Vivell’s endorsement and Leipzig’s reduced price, the deal represents a strategic opportunity to secure a long-term solution for United’s attacking woes. However, as of July 24, 2025, at 05:19 PM WAT, no official agreement has been confirmed, and negotiations are ongoing, per CaughtOffside.
What’s Next?
United are expected to intensify discussions with Leipzig in the coming weeks, with a medical for Bryan Mbeumo scheduled and other priorities, such as midfield reinforcements, also under consideration, according to ESPN. If United can navigate their financial constraints and secure Šeško, he could debut against Arsenal on the Premier League’s opening weekend, August 17, 2025, as reported by Sky Sports. The outcome will depend on Leipzig’s final stance and United’s ability to raise funds through player sales.
This development underscores United’s ambition to reclaim their status as a Premier League powerhouse. As negotiations progress, Šeško’s potential move to Old Trafford could mark the start of a new era for the Red Devils.
Note: This article is based on publicly available reports and has not been officially confirmed by Manchester United or RB Leipzig.