Manchester United’s acquisition of Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig has been one of the biggest talking points of the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old, known for his pace, aerial ability, and lethal finishing, is seen as a major coup for United as they continue rebuilding under Erik ten Hag. However, given the club’s recent financial struggles and the constraints of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), many fans and pundits have been asking the same question: How did United afford this deal?
After weeks of speculation, details have emerged showing that the club carefully orchestrated a series of financial manoeuvres to secure Šeško’s signature without breaching regulations. According to insider sources, United combined wage savings, transfer structuring, sell-on fees, penalties owed by other clubs, and significant operational cost-cutting to create the necessary funds.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Manchester United pulled it off.
1. £12.75 Million Wage Savings from Marcus Rashford’s Restructured Deal
One of the most significant moves was the renegotiation of Marcus Rashford’s contract. While early rumours suggested the England forward might be sold, United instead opted for a wage restructuring that reportedly reduced his annual salary commitments by £12.75 million.
Sources say Rashford agreed to the adjustment in exchange for performance-related bonuses, ensuring he could still earn close to his previous figure if he meets certain goals and assist targets. This not only provided immediate breathing space in the wage bill but also demonstrated player commitment to the club’s long-term vision.
With Rashford’s wages taking up less of the budget, United had more flexibility to register new signings under PSR limits.
2. Staggered Payment Structures on Bryan Mbeumo & Matheus Cunha Deals
While United have agreed deals for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, they avoided paying large lump sums upfront. Instead, both transfers are structured with minimal initial payments followed by instalments spread over multiple seasons.
This strategy allowed United to keep their cash flow intact while still strengthening the squad. The initial outlay for Mbeumo is believed to be around £10 million this summer, with the rest payable over the next three years. Cunha’s deal is similarly staged, with payments scheduled over four seasons.
By deferring these costs, United freed up resources to channel towards the Šeško fee without compromising their budget for other signings.
3. £21 Million in Sell-On Clauses
United’s transfer team also cashed in on previously negotiated sell-on clauses involving former academy and senior players.
Over the past few years, the club inserted clauses into deals when selling talent to other teams — a move that is now paying off. This summer alone, United have reportedly received around £21 million from such clauses as former players completed transfers elsewhere in Europe.
Notable examples include:
• A percentage of the fee from a high-profile sale of a former youth product in Italy.
• Earnings from a midfielder’s move from the Bundesliga to La Liga.
These windfalls, though unpredictable, provided a welcome boost to the transfer fund.
4. Chelsea’s Penalty Payment for Jadon Sancho Saga
One of the more surprising funding sources was a penalty payment from Chelsea over the Jadon Sancho situation. Details remain partially confidential, but insiders suggest it relates to a contractual breach in a complex three-way negotiation involving Chelsea, Sancho, and another club during the January window.
While the penalty was not enormous compared to other revenue streams, it still contributed a meaningful sum to the Šeško budget. More importantly, it was a lump sum — meaning it could be immediately applied to this summer’s spending.
5. Reduced Costs Following Major Job Cuts
Off the pitch, Manchester United’s operational restructuring also freed up significant funds. Earlier this year, the club announced a wave of redundancies as part of a cost-efficiency drive under the new ownership structure led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
While these cuts were controversial and met with resistance from some staff and supporters, they reduced the club’s non-playing wage bill and operational costs considerably. By streamlining departments and outsourcing certain functions, United are believed to have saved millions annually — money that can now be redirected towards squad investment.
6. Šeško’s Deal Itself Was Financially Smart
It’s important to note that the Benjamin Šeško deal itself was cleverly structured. Rather than paying the full transfer fee upfront, United agreed to staggered payments with RB Leipzig, spreading the cost over several years. This reduced the immediate financial hit and allowed compliance with PSR.
The initial payment, believed to be around 40% of the total fee, was covered almost entirely by the wage savings from Rashford’s contract changes and the unexpected sell-on clause windfalls.
7. Strategic Planning Under INEOS
This transfer window marks the first full summer with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group involved in sporting operations. Their approach has been markedly different from previous regimes — focusing on sustainability, clever financial planning, and avoiding panic buys.
Instead of spending recklessly, they have implemented strategies common in continental Europe:
• Staggered deals to protect cash flow.
• Incentive-based player contracts to control wage inflation.
• Aggressive exploitation of secondary revenue streams like sell-on clauses.
Šeško’s signing is therefore being seen not just as a statement of intent on the pitch, but as evidence of a new financial discipline off it.
8. Fan and Expert Reactions
The fanbase has largely welcomed the Šeško signing, seeing him as a long-term solution to United’s striker issues. His profile — tall, quick, technically gifted, and still only 22 — makes him a player who could lead the line for the next decade.
Football finance experts have also praised the club’s approach. Kieran Maguire, a respected analyst, commented:
“Manchester United’s ability to fund this deal without breaching sustainability rules shows a clear shift in transfer strategy. It’s a model that other clubs, especially those under PSR pressure, might look to replicate.â€
9. Šeško’s Potential Impact
Šeško arrives with a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards. Last season, he scored 18 goals for RB Leipzig in all competitions, combining clinical finishing with intelligent movement.
At United, he is expected to compete with Rasmus Højlund for the starting striker role, but many predict he will eventually become the club’s main centre-forward. His versatility — being able to play as a lone striker or in a two-man attack — will also give Ten Hag more tactical options.
Conclusion
Manchester United’s capture of Benjamin Šeško is not just about adding firepower to the squad — it is a case study in modern football finance. Through wage restructuring, staggered payments, exploiting sell-on clauses, receiving unexpected penalties, and cutting operational costs, the club managed to secure a marquee signing without jeopardising their compliance with financial regulations.
As United fans celebrate the arrival of their new No. 9, the bigger picture is that this deal signals a smarter, more sustainable approach under INEOS — one that could see the club compete for top talent while avoiding the financial pitfalls that have plagued them in the past.
If you want, I can also prepare a financial table breaking down exactly how much each source contributed to the Šeško deal for visual impact.
Do you want me to make that next?
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