Manchester United are likely to beat Newcastle United for the signature of Benjamin Sesko as the forward continued to lean towards the Red Devils.
According to The Athletic, Benjamin Sesko is leaning towards joining Manchester United over Newcastle United after both clubs presented their offers to RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga outfit have already accepted Newcastle United’s offer for the striker; however, the Slovenian favours a switch to Old Trafford.
The Benjmain Sesko saga is nearing its conclusion as earlier today the striker has indicated his preferred destination. Manchester United and Newcastle United are embroiled in a bidding war for the Slovenian, with RB Leipzig favouring the proposal from the Magpies.
Newcastle United made the first offer worth €75 million plus €5 million in add-ons, and after RB Leipzig turned down the proposal, they improved their offer to €80 million. Manchester United were discussing their own offer worth €80 million and did come through with it.
Manchester United then presented with a €75 million bid plus €10 million in add-ons, to which Leipzig did not respond. There were rumblings that the German side could accept Newcastle United’s bid, and the Magpies made some tweaks to their proposal and improved the fixed fee to €82.5 million plus €2.5 million in add-ons that the Bundesliga giants eventually accepted for the striker who contributed to 27 goals last season.
Yet, in all this, the player buy-in was key to determining the chances of either team succeeding in the chase. It appears, Sesko is leaning towards joining Manchester United over the Magpies, which could potentially allow the Red Devils to play their hand and push Leipzig to accept their existing offer for the striker. Alternatively, there are chances that Manchester United will make slight improvements to their bid, like Newcastle United.
Newcastle United could look at alternatives
Newcastle United have already held talks for Nicolas Jackson on an initial level with Chelsea, and he could be their next target if they miss out on Sesko. Similarly, Manchester United were looking at Ollie Watkins as an alternative to the Slovenian, although they are now closer to signing the RB Leipzig man.
Newcastle United, with this latest rejection, are having an unprecedented summer, where they have made headlines for not being able to sign their preferred targets. There is also the Alexander Isak to deal with for the Magpies, although any sale of the Swede will depend on the club’s chances of landing a viable replacement beforehand.