Man Utd, Newcastle Submit Rival Bids For Leipzig Star Benjamin Sesko

Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United have both submitted competing bids for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, according to a report by German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.

The Red Devils are said to have tabled an initial offer of €85 million (£73.9 million) for the 22-year-old Slovenian forward. Newcastle reportedly submitted an €80 million bid on Saturday and increased it to €85 million, including performance-based bonuses, by Monday.

Sesko had a solid season with Leipzig, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists in what was an underwhelming league campaign for the Bundesliga side. On the international stage, he has netted 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.

The striker was notably absent from Leipzig’s 2-1 home defeat to Atalanta in a friendly on Saturday, fueling speculation of an imminent transfer. Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schaefer, confirmed his exclusion, citing “very concrete interest from several clubs.”

Manchester United are in the midst of a major rebuild following their worst top-flight season in over five decades and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham. The club has already bolstered its attack this summer with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Sesko’s potential arrival could spell the end for struggling striker Rasmus Højlund, with reports suggesting United are open to selling the Denmark international for €35 million—less than half the fee paid to Atalanta just a year ago.

Meanwhile, Newcastle, who secured Champions League qualification with a fifth-place finish last season, may be seeking a replacement for Alexander Isak amid reported interest from Premier League champions Liverpool.