Report: Newcastle Utd in pole position for Man Utd target or are they?

Newcastle United could face stiff competition from Manchester United for the signing of Benjamin Sesko. A captivating transfer saga is evolving for the supporters of the 2 clubs before the Slovenian ace makes a decision on his future.

It is understood from credible sources at Sky Sports that Newcastle United are currently in a better position than Ruben Amorim’s club for the signing of RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old forward. The Magpies are very much in this transfer race, having already made a transfer bid for Sesko in the past week.

A formal bid from the negotiating party at United has not yet been made but cannot be ruled out. United are cautiously weighing up this deal as they consider their options financially and on the pitch.

Sesko and his future

Eddie Howe is currently in a spot of bother especially in regards to the entire Alexander Isak saga with Liverpool. Newcastle will sooner or later have to sign a replacement for the former Real Sociedad attacker.

Newcastle made their opening bid for the attacker to the Bundesliga giants for €75 million with an additional €5 million in performance related add-ons. Given the massive question surrounding Isak’s big money move to Liverpool, Leipzig are aware that they can command a higher selling price for their asset.

Throughout the summer, Sesko has been heavily linked with a move away from Germany. Several Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United have all been linked with the versatile forward.

Since joining RB Leipzig from Red Bull’s sister club, RB Salzburg in 2023 Sesko has made 87 appearances scoring 39 goals and 8 assists to his credit. Sesko signed a new contract with the Bundesliga side last year, with the new deal running until 2029.

The previous contract had a release clause which would allow the striker to leave if a bid arrived for €65 million.

Newcastle or Manchester for Sesko?

It is understood that the player is keen on both projects and does not have a bias as of now.

However, the scale could be tipping marginally in favour of Manchester United with RB Leipzig themselves interested in the services of Red Devils attacker Rasmus Hojlund.

Leipzig could explore the possibility of involving Hojlund as a part of a deal between the two sides.

UPDATE: Sky Sports are now reporting that Sesko prefers the option of joining the Red-Devils showing that despite the lack of European football and their poor form last season, United still can attract top players ahead of their rivals. If Amorim can clinch this signing it will send a message to other teams that it is not all gloom and doom and the modest positives coming from Old Trafford shows the team is turning things around. There is huge upside to the 22 year old Slovenian hitman and if Hojlund does go out on loan and performs well the club will be in good shape with 3 young strikers on their books including Joshua Zirkzee.

All of a sudden things don’t seem quite so bad for Ruben Amorim – the boss needs some more good news and this could be just the tonic ahead of the PL opener vs Arsenal.