Manchester United agree $99m deal for new striker

Manchester United are close to securing the signing of Benjamin Sesko, further strengthening the offensive options for head coach Ruben Amorim.

Sesko is set to arrive from German side RB Leipzig, where he has spent the last two years. ESPN reports that the deal will be worth up to €85 million ($98.8m), including some easily achievable add-ons.

The Slovenian began his career with Red Bull Salzburg before making the move to Leipzig in 2023. Across two years in the Bundesliga he has scored 27 goals in 64 appearances.

Premier League rivals Newcastle United were also believed to be in the hunt for Sesko, making a series of bids last month. But the player was keen to move to Old Trafford and has reportedly accepted a lower salary in Manchester.

For much of the summer United fans have been calling for a new center forward, even after the arrivals of forwards Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha earlier in the window. Sesko is of a very different profile to those two signings, a tall, powerful striker who is still improving.

The next priority for Amorim will be to shift some of the dead wood from the squad. Marcus Rashford has already left for Barcelona on a year-long loan deal. Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho but United are thought to want a fee close to £60 million ($80.6m) for the 21-year-old.