MANCHESTER UNITED’S blockbuster transfer to land Benjamin Sesko has not just left Newcastle reeling from losing out, according to reports.
Sesko, 22, completed his switch to Old Trafford last week in a deal worth an initial £66.3million, with £7.4m in add-ons.
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The former RB Leipzig gave his priority to a transfer to the Old Trafford outfit ahead of Premier League rivals Newcastle.
That was despite Ruben Amorim‘s side not being able to offer Champions League football, unlike the Magpies who qualified via a 5th-place finish in the league last season.
However, Sesko’s switch to England has also left Barcelona feeling “hurt”, according to Sport.
The report says the Camp Nou outfit were keen on a move for the pacy Slovenian, after heavy analysis work being done on him by Deco, the club’s sporting director.
Former Chelsea star Deco had viewed Sesko as a long-term replacement for veteran Robert Lewandowski, 36.
The Pole has one year left on his contract with an option to extend, though early reports suggest he will call it quits from the Camp Nou outfit next summer.
Barca were aware of Sesko’s availability, but did not have the financial capability to make a move this summer, as shown by the cash-strapped club gutting their successful women’s team – who will have just 17 players going into the new season – to try and balance the books.
The movement of other strikers in the market, including Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, also informed their decision to push for Sesko.
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However, his decision to join United this summer, rather than waiting for next year when the LaLiga giants would have been ready to make a move, left their management “hurt”.
Barcelona’s men have made just one permanent signing this summer, namely former Arsenal target Joan Garcia, for £22m.
They have also signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Man Utd with a £26m option to buy permanently next year.
Barcelona start their league season with a trip to Mallorca on Saturday.
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Man Utd’s transfer deals
IN
- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
TOTAL – £214.5m
OUT
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
TOTAL – £0m
