Manchester United has offered RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Sesko €75 million plus €10 million in add-ons. Manchester United believes the player wants to transfer to Old Trafford, and the offer reflects their assessment of him.
Leipzig has not yet replied to the Premier League team’s suggestion. On July 30, The Athletic said that Manchester United had made initial contact with the Bundesliga team and was prioritizing a move for the 22-year-old forward if they were to recruit another attacker this summer.
The Athletic said on Monday that Newcastle United had made a better offer for the striker, which prompted Manchester United to make their own offer. Leipzig rejected their initial offer of €75 million plus €5 million in add-ons, but Newcastle raised it to at least €80 million.
Sesko had long been a target for Newcastle, who pursued him when Alexander Isak, the team’s top scorer from the previous campaign, indicated that he wanted to depart. Liverpool’s first offer of £110 million for Isak was turned down.
By acquiring Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, Manchester United has already bolstered their striker positions.
Manchester United rival Newcastle with Sesko bid
The director and minority owner Jamie Reuben has been leading Newcastle’s discussions with Leipzig. Without a sporting director, he has stepped in to help Howe’s nephew Andy Howe with recruiting.
Howe and Isak are set to meet this week, but there is little indication that they will really rapproche. Last week, Liverpool’s bid of £110 million for him was refused.
Before departing Seoul, Howe stated that he was unaware of Isak’s journey to Spain and issued a warning that players who behave badly would not be allowed to practice with his first squad. It was far from ideal, according to the Newcastle boss.
Sources close to Manchester United have already explained how they may come to an agreement on Sesko, despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s prior statement this year that the club might fail by Christmas unless drastic cost-cutting measures were taken.
Following the Blues’ withdrawal from a contract to recruit Jadon Sancho, Manchester United got £5 million from Chelsea. Over £15 million has also been paid to Manchester United as a result of sell-on clauses involving Maxi Oyedele, Alvaro Carreras, and Anthony Elanga.
