The lengths Manchester United went to sign Benjamin Sesko have been revealed by the star’s agent. Elvis Basanovic claims the Red Devils followed his every step to engage in talks across six different cities as they beat Newcastle United to his signature.
United signed Sesko in a deal worth up to £74million from RB Leipzig to add to Ruben Amorim’s squad in a summer that has seen Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha also arrive at Old Trafford. Club chiefs were able to persuade Sesko that United was the correct club to join, despite Premier League rivals having a bid accepted first and being able to offer Champions League football.
Arsenal were an early contender for Sesko’s signature too, with the Slovenia international among their priorities. Such was the fee required, the Gunners decided to move on to land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead.
But it was United’s persistent efforts that ultimately proved successful in getting a move over the line. And a longstanding relationship between the parties paid off.
“We were in contact with Man United’s negotiations director, Matt Hargreaves, who was a ruthless negotiator,” Basanovic told the 24UR programme on Slovenian station POP! TV.
“In the last 10-15 days, they followed my every step, and the talks took place in three different countries and six different cities.”
Sesko had been of interest to United for as long as seven years and the forward’s agent had kept the club well aware of his plans. While Sesko opted against moving to Manchester as a teenager, a transfer to the Premier League was always on the agenda.
Basanovic added: ‘We visited their academy when he was just 15. Even then, we were planning this move for the future. At the time, we didn’t want him to go [when he was] so young.
“In recent years, we stayed in contact but we told them our plan – two years in the Bundesliga, to prepare for the future in the Premier League. We’re delighted the plan worked.”
Basanovic also gave his interpretation of why a move to Arsenal did not happen. “It’s hard to say exactly,” he said.
“Whenever a deal doesn’t go through, there are always several factors. In the end, everything has to align for it to happen.
“What’s important here is that Benjamin’s wish, for years now, has always been United. And for United, he was even willing to take a pay cut to make the move happen. As his agent, I wanted to make that wish come true.”
