RB Leipzig have completed the signing of striker Benjamin Sesko from sister club Red Bull Salzburg for a fee believed to be worth around £55m.
The 19-year-old has penned a five-year contract with the Bundesliga outfit until the summer of 2028 and will remain at Salzburg for the 2022-23 campaign.
Sesko had been heavily linked with a host of top European clubs including the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.
Last weekend, United are understood to have tabled a 'concrete offer' for Sesko and held talks with the player's agent Elvis Basanovic, but Leipzig have managed to fend off stern competition to recruit the highly-rated striker.
Speaking to Leipzig's official website on his arrival at the club, Sesko said: "I'm very happy to be able to make the move to RB Leipzig in 2023 and that the transfer is now confirmed.
#RBLeipzig confirm the signing of Benjamin Šeško! 🔴⚪
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 9, 2022
The 19-year-old will join the club in summer 2023 🤝#WeAreLeipzig
"RB Leipzig are one of the best clubs in Germany and are establishing themselves as one of the best in Europe year on year. A success story has been written here in just a few years and I want to be a part of it in the future.
"The club's philosophy of placing trust in young players and playing attractive, attacking football is a perfect fit for me. The city, the stadium and the whole infrastructure at RB Leipzig, as well as the many good discussions with the club, convinced me that this move is absolutely the right decision.
"My focus is now on the season with Salzburg, that I want to use to continue developing and be as successful as possible."
Technical director Christopher Vivell added: "Benjamin Sesko is one of Europe's best young talents and has a great amount of potential to become one of the best. He offers a lot in his game, he's extremely fast, has a great jumping reach and is strong in the air.
"Benjamin has a true eye for goal and, despite his height, is technically gifted and mobile. His qualities make him a unique and special player.
RB Leipzig 🤝 Benjamin Šeško pic.twitter.com/VFNDDzlhoS
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) August 9, 2022
"I've known Benjamin since he was 15 and was able to convince him to come to Salzburg in 2019. Since then, I've followed his development closely and have seen every goal that he's scored.
"The best option is for Benjamin to continue in Salzburg for one more year and mature before coming to Leipzig. We're already looking forward to that a lot."
Commercial director of sport Florian Scholz has revealed that Leipzig fought off "great competition" from several clubs to land the Slovenia international this summer.
"In signing Benjamin Sesko, we've managed to pull off a brilliant transfer. We're very proud that Benjamin has decided to come to RB Leipzig because he had a lot of offers from other clubs and we had to beat off great competition," said Scholz.
"His transfer to Leipzig next year is in line with our club ideology of continuing to develop young and highly-talented players alongside experienced transfers."
© Reuters
Sesko joined Salzburg from Slovenian outfit NK Domzale in the summer of 2019, and was immediately loaned out to Austrian second-tier side FC Liefering where he spent the next two seasons.
The 6ft 4in striker only scored once in 15 Austrian 2. Liga appearances during his first year with the club, but he elevated his game to new heights in the 2020-21 campaign, netting 21 times in 29 league games.
Sesko then return to Salzburg last season and recorded 10 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Austrian Bundesliga champions.
The Slovenian, who has been likened to former Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland, will now spent one final season with the Austrian Red Bulls, who will be competing in the Champions League for the fourth successive year.
Meanwhile, Leipzig have also confirmed that they have re-signed forward Timo Werner from Chelsea on a four-year deal, just two years after selling the Germany international to the Premier League giants.
Oliver Thomas
