Manchester United are locked in a transfer tussle with Newcastle United for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, with the 22-year-old Slovenian striker reportedly favoring a move to Old Trafford over Tyneside.
Newcastle had been close to securing a deal, buoyed by encouragement that Sesko was open to joining them, but Manchester United’s rival bid on Tuesday has shifted the momentum.
Newcastle’s second offer for Sesko stands at £69.7 million, potentially rising to £75 million with add-ons.
However, Manchester United’s bid of a guaranteed £65.2 million, which could reach £73.8 million, has gained traction, with sources indicating Sesko’s preference for United.
The Red Devils, who have already spent over £130 million on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer, missed out on other striker targets like Viktor Gyökeres, Hugo Ekitiké, and Liam Delap. To fund Sesko’s signing, United may need to offload Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, or Tyrell Malacia.
For Newcastle, losing Sesko would be another blow in a challenging transfer window, having also missed Ekitiké and Delap. With Alexander Isak pushing for a move to Liverpool—whose £110 million bid was rejected last week—Newcastle are seeking two forwards.
Eddie Howe, supported by director Jamie Reuben and nephew Andy Howe in recruitment, is negotiating for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and remains an admirer of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Isak, who missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour citing a minor thigh issue and trained alone at Real Sociedad, is set for talks with Howe this week, though reconciliation seems unlikely.
