Man Utd confident of hijacking Newcastle’s £78m Benjamin Sesko transfer

Manchester United are confident of gazumping Newcastle United after submitting a bid approaching £74m for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko with a decision set to be made on his future in the next 24 hours.

Newcastle made a bid of £78.2m on Monday in an attempt to accelerate a deal for the Slovenia international consisting of £69.5m up front and the rest in potential add-ons. 

Both deals are being considered by RB Leipzig but sources have indicated that they will be accepted and the player’s wage demands will also be met by both clubs without a problem.

As reported by The i Paper on Monday, United had been preparing a bid for a while, and a reassessment of their financial position meant they could act now. They have bided their time so as not to get embroiled in a bidding war, given money is still tight.

United needed an indication from the player that he would be interested in the move. Several sources indicated the 22-year-old’s representatives gave assurances they would not be put off by a lack of European football and would be willing to listen to United’s proposal. One insider insisted the club are confident Sesko will move to Old Trafford over St James’ Park.

Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig looks on during the 1. Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart at Red Bull arena, Leipzig, Germany on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sesko is understood to favour a move to Old Trafford (Photo: Getty)

It now comes down to Sesko, with The i Paper told that a final decision should be made on Tuesday. He has long been targeted by United, with the current plan to sign the young forward pushed by director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who brought Sesko to RB Salzburg when he was 16.

Newcastle could therefore be about to suffer another transfer window blow after missing out on Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Dean Hujisen, James Trafford and Bryan Mbeumo in a difficult trading period.

What is worth pointing out is that Sesko has been favourable to Newcastle’s approaches throughout the process so this was not a case of the club going down a cul-de-sac over the last few days. But if he prefers United – which is the belief of at least one well-placed source – then they will have to turn their attentions elsewhere.

The Red Devils’ dramatic intervention on Tuesday was not unexpected. But for Newcastle it leaves them back to the drawing board as they look to resolve a complicated striker picture.

Alexander Isak is back on Tyneside but clearly unsettled and craves a move to Liverpool. But that transfer has no chance of happening unless Newcastle bring in replacements. If Sesko arrives, that picture may change.

Newcastle also maintain interest in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa – and some feel there could be developments there this week – but sources say little has changed over the last week.

The Magpies’ co-owner Jamie Reuben has played a central role in Newcastle’s pursuit of Sesko after flying out to Germany for face-to-face talks with RB Leipzig. Newcastle also presented what insiders believe was a compelling vision of how he would fit into the Magpies’ ambitious project.

Newcastle believe they have pushed the boat out from a financial perspective and clearly have learned lessons from their pursuit of Joao Pedro earlier in the transfer window when it was felt that delays allowed Chelsea to enter the bidding.

But ultimately the decision lies with Sesko and his agent Elvis Basanovic and recruitment sources have consistently indicated that he favours a move to Old Trafford.

Should Sesko move to Manchester, one sale that could be sanctioned, in addition to the “bomb squad” of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, is Rasmus Hojlund.

After failing to live up to the billing, United could accept a bid as low as £30m to allow Hojlund to leave, The i Paper understands. 

The Dane has insisted he is willing to fight for his place in the team, but with other options available, United could cash in and use the money to reinvest in other areas of the squad. Hojlund still has a sound reputation in Italy and could secure a return there this summer.



from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/4OchBi1

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