Newcastle United appear close to beating Manchester United to the signing of RB Leipzig’s Slovenian striker, Benjamin Sesko.
The race between the two clubs for the 22 year old has been hotting up all week. The Geordies are looking for a replacement for Alexander Isak, who is desperate to join Liverpool. Newcastle rebuffed a £120 million offer from the Anfield outfit yesterday but it is widely believed that should they be able to find a replacement – namely Sesko – then they might be willing to cash in on the Swede.
Meanwhile Manchester United have been searching all summer for a striker and made Sesko their top target after other options, such as Liam Delap and Ollie Watkins, fell by the wayside.
Sesko makes his decision
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano yesterday, the Red Devils were “confident” that Sesko would join them even though Newcastle could offer Champions League football.
That confidence, it now appears, was misplaced.
Earlier today we relayed reports from Slovenia that Sesko had chosen the Magpies over the Red Devils.
Swift and decisive – it looks ominous for United
This news appears to have reached St James Park.
Just minutes ago, in a bombshell update from Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs, it is claimed that the Tyneside club have lodged a mammoth €75 million plus £5m bid for the 22 year old.
Jacobs tweeted “BREAKING: Newcastle make a €75m+€5m bid for Benjamin Sesko.”
🚨 BREAKING: Newcastle make a €75m+€5m bid for Benjamin Sesko
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 2, 2025
This was corroborated seconds ago by tier 1 reporter David Ornstein, who wrote in The Athletic:
“Newcastle United have made an offer worth €80million for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The bid is comprised of €75m up front with a further €5m in potential add-ons, and was tabled by Newcastle in the past 24 hours.
“Manchester United are also interested in Sesko and the Slovenia striker is yet to make a firm decision on his preferred destination.”
It is looking ominous for United and fans can only hope that there is another twist to come in this crucial tale.
Featured image Luciano Lima via Getty Images
Get paid to write about United! If you are an experienced writer with publishing history and/or have a journalism qualification or background, have English as your first language and you are a genuine United fan, we want to hear from you!
Click here for more details: Write for us.
Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.