Manchester United’s battle with Newcastle United for the signature of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko took a huge twist this evening according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
A tale of two cities The two clubs have been locking horms over the transfer of the young striker, with Newcastle already having had a €75 million plus €5 million bid rejected by the German outfit.
It has been widely reported that the player was biding his time in deciding which club he would prefer to join, while for their part, United were said to be willing to match Newcastle’s bid for him.
A new bid comes in In a major update this evening, the renowned Ornstein claims that:
“Red Bull Leipzig have received an improved offer from Newcastle United to sign Benjamin Sesko.”
He added that the opening €75m + €5m bid “was deemed insufficient by Leipzig, leading Newcastle to raise that to at least €80m.
Cold Feet The hammer blow for United fans came in the reporter’s next sentence:
“Sesko is also wanted by Manchester United, but a proposal has yet to arrive from Old Trafford and the figures they have indicated a willingness to pay are lower than those of Newcastle at present.
He adds that Newcastle are now in a much stronger position than United “after a day of positive talks held by their co-owner Jamie Reuben with Leipzig and the 22-year-old striker.”
Ornstein does offer hope to United, noting that Sesko’s preference will determine the outcome to some extent. There is a “gentleman’s agreement” in place between player and club that he will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer comes in.
The reporter believes it unlikely, however, that Leipzig would agree to sell to United for a fee they have already rejected from Newcastle even if the player’s preference were to join the Red Devils.
United will bid if the player picks them
Another top tier reporter, Fabrizio Romano, corroborated Ornstein’s story this evening, adding that they “confirmed again to RB Leipzig that they will bid if Šeško picks them.”
🚨⚪️⚫️ Newcastle have sent official bid to RB Leipzig for Benjamin Šeško worth €90m package.
€80m plus €10m add-ons on the table from #NUFC.
⏹️ No decision yet from the player.
Manchester United confirmed again to RB Leipzig that they will bid if Šeško picks them. pic.twitter.com/P6lVhKJUEU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2025
Featured image Maja Hitij via Getty Images
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Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
