Premier League clubs Manchester United and Newcastle United have submitted competing bids for highly sought-after RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, according to German outlet Bild on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Slovenian international is attracting serious interest, with Manchester United reportedly making an opening bid of €85 million (£73.9 million) on Tuesday.
Newcastle had initially offered €80 million for the striker on Saturday and increased their bid—reportedly to match €85 million with added bonuses—on Monday.
Sesko, who netted 13 goals and provided five assists in an underwhelming Bundesliga season for Leipzig, has been a standout at the international level, scoring 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.
He was left out of Leipzig’s friendly against Serie A side Atalanta last weekend— a 2-1 loss—due to ongoing transfer talks. Leipzig’s sporting director Marcel Schaefer confirmed the absence, citing “very concrete interest from several clubs.”
Manchester United are in rebuild mode after enduring their worst top-flight finish in over five decades and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham. The club has already signed attackers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer to address its lack of firepower.
Sesko’s potential arrival could spell the end for Rasmus Højlund at Old Trafford. The Danish striker, who joined from Atalanta in 2023 for over €70 million, is reportedly being considered for sale at just €35 million.
Newcastle, meanwhile, secured a fifth-place Premier League finish last season and qualified for the Champions League. However, they now face the risk of losing key forward Alexander Isak, who is reportedly a transfer target for Premier League champions Liverpool.
