Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to make a fresh offer for Benjamin Sesko, having seen their opening bid for the RB Leipzig centre-forward turned down.
The Magpies are said to have made a €75m (£65.5m) plus €5m (£4.4m) in add-ons bid for Sesko on Saturday, with Eddie Howe's side determined to beat Manchester United to a deal.
However, it is understood that t**he offer was rejected by the Bundesliga outfit**.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Newcastle are preparing to improve their bid, and the club are optimistic that they will be able to reach an agreement with Leipzig.
Jacobs claims that the fixed fee meets Leipzig's valuation, there is work to be done when it comes to the structure.
RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko on January 12, 2025
Newcastle 'planning improved bid' for Sesko
"Newcastle prepared to improve their €75m+€5m offer to Leipzig with optimism a fee and structure can be agreed. Fixed fee already meets Leipzig’s valuation," Jacobs posted on X.
"Manchester United also held talks with Leipzig on Saturday evening. Both clubs waiting on Benjamin Sesko’s decision, which is now expected quickly.
"Newcastle now feel in a position to move fast on the club-to-club side. Manchester United yet to place any formal bid, but one will be forthcoming if Sesko gives the green light. Leipzig aware."
Sesko has scored 39 times and registered eight assists in 87 appearances for Leipzig, and he is wanted by both Newcastle and Man United but has allegedly not yet made a final decision.
"We won’t go into detail on that, but when I say that several clubs have shown strong interest and have made approaches, it’s obvious what has happened," Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schafer said on Saturday after the striker was left out of the pre-season friendly with Atalanta BC.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko during his side's match against Augsburg, on February 14, 2025
Sesko 'leaning towards' Man United move
According to Sky Sports News, while Sesko is yet to make a final decision, the striker is said to be leaning towards making the move to Old Trafford this summer.
Man United are yet to submit an offer for Sesko, with the Red Devils said to be waiting for the Slovenia international to communicate that he wants to move to Old Trafford.
Sesko scored 21 goals in 45 appearances for Leipzig last season and is wanted to lead the Man United line due to the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee during the 2024-25 campaign.
Hojlund is allegedly available for £30m this summer, with Leipzig viewing him as a potential replacement for Sesko, but the Denmark international has allegedly made it clear that he does not want to join the German club.
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