Man United are hoping to complete the signing of striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)
Manchester United are confident RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko prefers a move to Old Trafford.
United have bid €75million (£65.3m) plus €10m (£8.7) in add-ons in an attempt to sign Sesko. Newcastle have offered a higher package to Leipzig, but the player's preference is set to be decisive.
Newcastle are set to play in the Champions League next season, but there is confidence that Sesko wants to sign for United, who have a longstanding interest in the centre-forward.
United have already beaten Newcastle to the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford this summer. United were in protracted negotiations to sign Mbeumo for over a month and privately believed the London club wanted Mbeumo to sign for Tottenham, Newcastle or Arsenal.
The Manchester Evening News reported last week that United were advancing with a move for Sesko, having received encouragement to pursue the 22-year-old instead of Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa are adamant that Watkins is not sale, but Leipzig were receptive to Sesko enquiries.
Arsenal were expected to move for Sesko earlier in the transfer window, but Mikel Arteta opted against signing the Slovenia international and signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon instead.
Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, met United football director John Murtough three years ago but the striker rejected the club as he favoured a move to RB Leipzig.
Basanovic has maintained contact with the United hierarchy and made multiple visits to the club's Carrington training complex and Old Trafford.
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