Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United have submitted competing offers for highly-rated RB Leipzig striker, Benjamin Sesko, according to a report by German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.
The report claims Manchester United made an opening offer of €85 million (£73.9 million) for the 22-year-old Slovenian forward, just a day after Newcastle raised their own bid to match that amount, including performance-based bonuses. Newcastle had earlier tabled a bid of €80 million over the weekend.
Sesko, who found the net 13 times and registered five assists in a challenging Bundesliga campaign last season, has also impressed at the international level with 16 goals in 41 appearances for Slovenia.
The striker was left out of Leipzig’s 2-1 home defeat to Serie A side Atalanta on Saturday, fueling speculation about his imminent departure. Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schaefer, confirmed Sesko’s absence was linked to “very concrete interest from several clubs.”
Manchester United are looking to revamp their squad following their worst top-flight finish in over five decades and a disappointing Europa League final loss to Tottenham. The club has already added attackers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to boost its attacking options.
Sesko’s potential arrival could spell the end for Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, with reports suggesting United are willing to offload him for €35 million less than half of the €75 million they paid to sign him from Atalanta in 2023.
Meanwhile, Newcastle, who secured a return to the Champions League after finishing fifth last season, are eager to strengthen their frontline amid fears of losing key striker Alexander Isak, who is reportedly on the radar of Premier League champions Liverpool.
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