Manchester United have indicated to RB Leipzig they are ready to match Newcastle United’s transfer offer for Benjamin Sesko.
Sesko has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer after another impressive season in the Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old scored 18 goals during his first season at Leipzig and a further 21 last season to attract interest from several European clubs.
Arsenal expressed interest in Sesko earlier in the summer before prioritising a move for Viktor Gyokeres and signing him from Sporting for £64m.
Manchester United were also interested in Gyokeres, who played under Ruben Amorim in Portugal, and have turned their attentions to Sesko after seeing the Sweden international join Arsenal.
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Amorim is keen to welcome a new striker to Old Trafford following Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles in the Premier League following his £72m move from Atalanta.
While Sesko has emerged as a top target for the Red Devils, they face major competition in the transfer race from fellow Premier League club Newcastle United.
Newcastle are preparing for the potential departure of superstar striker Alexander Isak and saw a £69.8m offer for Sesko rejected by RB Leipzig.
While Manchester United are yet to bid for Sesko, Sky Germany say they are ‘ready to match’ Newcastle’s offer.
Leipzig were reportedly happy with the overall sum of Newcastle’s bid but told the Magpies the payment structure needed to be adjusted.
Sesko is said to be open to joining either Premier League club, with Sky Sports suggesting he is leaning towards Man United despite their woeful 2024-25 campaign.
There is also the possibility of players being used in a deal to sign Sesko, with RB Leipzig reportedly interested in signing Rasmus Hojlund in a player-plus-cash deal.
Hojlund said last week he intended to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place in the team but the decision may be taken out of his hands.
Sesko missed RB Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against Atalanta on Saturday ahead of his expected departure from the club.
Speaking on the same day, Marcel Schafer, RB Leipzig’s managing director for sport, confirmed clubs had made approaches for Sesko.
‘We won’t go into detail on that but when I say that several clubs have shown strong interest and have made approaches, it’s obvious what has happened,’ he said.
If Sesko joins Manchester United, he would become Amorim’s third summer signing following Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
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