LIVE UPDATES
Both Manchester United and Newcastle United have submitted competing offers for sought-after RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, according to a report from German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.
The report indicates that Manchester United made an initial offer of 85 million euros (£73.9 million) for the 22-year-old forward. Newcastle had previously proposed 80 million euros for Sesko on Saturday, increasing this to 85 million with additional bonuses by Monday.
The Slovenian striker netted 13 goals and provided five assists during a disappointing league season for Leipzig last year and has tallied 16 goals in 41 international matches.
Sesko was not included in Saturday’s friendly against Serie A team Atalanta, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the visitors, due to ongoing transfer talks.
Leipzig’s sporting director Marcel Schaefer confirmed this, stating that Sesko would be absent "due to the very concrete interests from several clubs."
Meanwhile, Manchester United is undergoing a rebuild after experiencing their worst top-flight season in 51 years, culminating in a defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
The team struggled in attack last season and has already signed forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo during the summer transfer window.
Should Sesko join, it might put pressure on striker Rasmus Hojlund, with reports suggesting that United could sell the Danish forward for 35 million euros—less than half of the sum they paid to acquire him from Atalanta in 2023.
Newcastle, after finishing fifth last season, qualified for the Champions League but are reportedly at risk of losing striker Alexander Isak to Premier League champions Liverpool.
