Manchester United have reportedly made a formal bid of €85 million for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season. According to German tabloid Bild, the Premier League giants are in direct competition with Newcastle United for the 22-year-old Slovenian forward.
Newcastle had earlier submitted a bid of €80 million over the weekend and improved their offer to €85 million with performance-related bonuses on Monday. However, Manchester United are said to have responded with a straight €85 million bid on Tuesday.
Sesko, who netted 13 goals and provided five assists for Leipzig last season despite the club’s underwhelming Bundesliga campaign, has become one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe. He has also made an impact at the international level, scoring 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.
He was notably left out of Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against Atalanta on Saturday, which ended in a 2–1 defeat for the German side. Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schaefer, confirmed that the decision to rest Sesko was due to “very concrete interests from several clubs.”
Manchester United are in the midst of a major squad overhaul following a disappointing season that marked their worst top-flight campaign in over five decades. Their attacking woes were highlighted by a lacklustre forward line, prompting summer signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
The potential signing of Sesko could spell trouble for current United striker Rasmus Hojlund. Reports suggest the club is open to offloading the Danish forward for around €35 million—significantly less than the €75 million they paid Atalanta for him just a year ago.
Meanwhile, Newcastle, who secured Champions League qualification with a fifth-place finish last season, are also keen to strengthen their frontline. The Magpies are reportedly bracing for the possible departure of star striker Alexander Isak, with Liverpool showing strong interest in the Swedish international.
Sesko’s future now hangs in the balance, with two Premier League heavyweights vying for his signature in what could become one of the summer’s biggest transfer battles.
