Manchester United have made an official move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, submitting a bid worth up to £73.8m (€85m) on Tuesday (August 5).
The offer includes a guaranteed payment of £65.2m (€75m) with a further £8.6m (€10m) in add-ons.
While United have yet to receive a response from Leipzig, the club believes the bid accurately reflects Sesko’s market value and would be open to a sale.
Newcastle United are also in the race and have tabled a competing bid of £69.7 million plus add-ons – slightly higher than United’s guaranteed offer.
However, Newcastle’s offer has not been accepted yet either.
According to reports from Sky Sports, Leipzig are likely to let Sesko take the final call himself, with the Slovenia international said to have a slight preference for United’s project.
“He is open to both moves and it is not that he is against Newcastle, but if it came to the two, Manchester United would be the choice,” Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported.
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United open to Hojlund Exit to make way for Sesko
With negotiations ongoing, United are also preparing for the possible exit of striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The club is open to letting the Dane leave this summer and have reportedly placed a £30 million valuation on him, as per reports from BBC Sport.
Despite struggles as United’s sole No. 9, Hojlund recently insisted that his goal is to stay and fight for his spot at Old Trafford.
Leipzig have also expressed interest in a loan move for the striker, but it is understood that no concrete negotiations have taken place.
Sesko scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig, and would offer both a commanding physical presence and strong finishing ability that would add a new dimension to Ruben Amorim’s attack.
Initially, it was believed United would need to sell players before making a move for a new striker.
But favourable payment arrangements for the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have given United some more leeway in what is proving to be a crucial summer transfer window.
A spanner in Newcastle’s works
The situation is slightly more complicated for Newcastle. The Magpies view Sesko as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who is currently pushing for a move to Liverpool after the Reds’ opening bid of £110m was rejected.
Newcastle are unwilling to sanction Isak’s departure unless they secure a high-level replacement, making United’s bid for Sesko potentially decisive in shaping the rest of the transfer window.
Manchester United news and related links
- Manchester United are out for ‘revenge’ this season, says defensive star
- Man Utd aiming to win the Premier League this season, says Luke Shaw
- Rasmus Hojlund determined to ‘fight’ for Man Utd spot despite Benjamin Sesko rumours