Manchester United and Newcastle have agreed personal terms with Benjamin Sesko after tabling an offer to RB Leipzig, GMS sources understand.
The Magpies have made a big move for the 22-year-old Slovenia international in recent days after tabling a second offer worth €90m (£78m) on Monday evening, as they push to secure the signing of a top number nine this summer.
But they have now seen their biggest rivals for his signature make a formal move for him too, leaving the decision firmly in the hands of the player.
Man Utd Table Offer for Sesko
Reds believe striker has picked them
Sesko
Man Utd had been reluctant to table a formal bid for the Leipzig star until they felt they had a commitment that he would prefer to join them over Newcastle, and sources understand they now believe that he has picked a move to Old Trafford.
United tabled an offer worth €75m + €10m (£65m + £8.7m) on Tuesday morning following talks with the striker overnight, and they believe that the offer matches Leipzig's quoted fixed fee.
GMS sources understand that €5m (£4.3m) of the add-ons are easily achievable too, which has left Man Utd to consider their offer to be close to Newcastle's overall package, despite the actual fee being lower.
Benjamin Sesko's statistics for RB Leipzig this season
Manchester United believe the player wants to join the club and never planned to bid without having player buy-in. Newcastle had been attempting to agree a deal first with Leipzig, and they were hopeful that Man Utd would back off on Monday after news of their second formal offer broke.
Now both clubs are engaged in talks with Leipzig and the player, with an agreement believed to be close for both clubs.
It has always been Newcastle's long-standing fear, however, that if both clubs made a like-for-like offer then Sesko would pick Manchester United.
Man Utd and Newcastle Agree Personal Terms
Final decision down to the player
Benjamin Sesko celebrating after scoring for RB Leipzig
While both clubs are closing in on an agreement with Leipzig, GMS sources understand that both Manchester United and Newcastle have finalised an agreement on personal terms with Sesko.
The player has agreed financial terms and a long-term contract with both clubs, and the final decision will rest on where he wants to go most, with both clubs confident of finalising an agreement with the Bundesliga club in the coming hours.
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All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 05/08/2025.