Chelsea Offered Benjamin Sesko ‘Anything He Wanted’ in 2022 Before Manchester United £74m Signing
Chelsea reportedly made a tempting offer to sign Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko three years before his eventual move to Old Trafford. The Slovenia international’s path to the Premier League was closely monitored by several top clubs, with his rise at Red Bull Salzburg attracting attention across Europe.
Sesko completed a £74m transfer to Manchester United last summer, but this was far from the first time he had been linked with a big move. In the summer of 2022, United’s recruitment team held discussions with Sesko’s representatives after the striker burst onto the scene at Salzburg, where he scored 18 goals in his debut full season. His pace, finishing, and versatility made him one of Europe’s most promising forwards.
Chelsea, however, were not willing to be left behind. According to The Sun, the Blues launched a serious bid to bring Sesko to Stamford Bridge, reportedly offering the then-teenager “anything he wanted” to convince him to join west London. At that time, Manchester United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, was present at Stamford Bridge and had been tracking Sesko closely following his performances within the Red Bull football network.
Despite the lucrative offers, Sesko and his agent decided to wait. They believed that a move to the Premier League at that stage would be premature for the young forward. Instead, Sesko moved to Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig in Germany, where he continued his development, scoring 39 goals over the next two seasons and further enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
Manchester United maintained close contact with Sesko during this period. His performances in Germany convinced the club to sanction a huge £74m transfer last summer. While the move created excitement among fans, pundits questioned the signing after a subdued start to his United career, in which he scored only twice before Christmas.
Sesko’s journey highlights the fierce competition among Europe’s elite clubs to secure top young talent and underscores the strategic decisions made by players and agents when timing their Premier League debuts. Chelsea’s early interest, combined with United’s patient approach, demonstrates how big clubs are willing to go to secure rising stars — even offering unprecedented terms to teenage players.
With Sesko now settling into Manchester United, the Premier League will watch closely to see if the £74m gamble pays off in the coming seasons, as he seeks to replicate the goal-scoring form that first made him a hot commodity in European football.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Benjamin Sesko, Premier League, £74m transfer, Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, teenage striker, football transfer news
