Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, with multiple sources indicating that the player favors a move to Old Trafford despite interest from Newcastle United. The transfer saga has seen twists and turns, with both clubs vying for the highly-rated Slovenian striker.
Sky Sports News reports that there's a growing sense Sesko prefers joining Manchester United over Newcastle. While there's no agreement yet between the clubs, Manchester United remains in talks with RB Leipzig after making an offer worth an initial £65 million plus £8.9 million in add-ons. Newcastle had submitted a second bid of £69.7 million plus add-ons, which was higher than Manchester United's offer. Despite Newcastle's higher bid, reports suggest Sesko is more inclined towards joining Manchester United.
According to Fabrizio Romano, there's a growing confidence within Manchester United that the 22-year-old will move to Old Trafford if the two clubs can reach an agreement. He also stated that Manchester United has forwarded an official contract proposal to Sesko while continuing negotiations with RB Leipzig. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg supports this, claiming Sesko is "very likely" to sign for Manchester United over Newcastle and that Manchester United's offer was crucial.
David Ornstein reports that Manchester United is "closing in" on a deal for Sesko. Leipzig had accepted Newcastle's bid worth €82.5m plus €2.5m in add-ons, but Sesko would prefer a move to Manchester United. Manchester United had been cautious, reluctant to get into a bidding war, but have now played their hand with an offer of €75m plus €10m in add-ons.
The potential arrival of Sesko raises questions about the future of current Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled to make a significant impact since joining the club. Manchester United may also need to consider sales to balance their books and comply with Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) if they complete the Sesko signing. The club has already loaned Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, which will free up some funds.
If Manchester United secures Sesko's signature, it would be a significant coup for Ruben Amorim's side, especially as they can't offer Champions League football, unlike Newcastle. It would also serve as a reminder of Manchester United's pulling power and global appeal. However, should Manchester United fail to land Sesko, they have reportedly identified Nicolas Jackson as a possible alternative.
