Manchester United have submitted a rival bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, believing the 22-year-old would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Newcastle United. The Red Devils' offer is worth a guaranteed £65.2m, potentially rising to £73.8m with add-ons, while Newcastle's second bid stands at £69.7m, which could reach almost £75m.
Newcastle had been cautiously optimistic after receiving encouragement that Sesko was open to a transfer to Tyneside, but their pursuit is now complicated by Manchester United's late intervention. The Magpies have already missed out on other striking targets including Viktor Gyökeres, Hugo Ekitiké, and Liam Delap in this window.
Manchester United have spent over £130m this summer on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Previous indications suggest they may need to sell at least one of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, or Tyrell Malacia to fund another major signing.
Newcastle's need for a new striker is acute, with first-choice forward Alexander Isak making clear his desire to leave, ideally for Liverpool. The Sweden international missed the club's pre-season tour citing a minor thigh problem and trained alone at his former club Real Sociedad. Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected last week, and manager Eddie Howe has described the situation as 'far from ideal', warning that players exhibiting poor behaviour would not train with the first team.
Newcastle remain in the market for two forwards and are in negotiations with Brentford for Yoane Wissa, while Howe is a longstanding admirer of Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. The club have already signed Sweden winger Anthony Elanga for £55m and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton. They are also targeting a right-sided centre-half and could revive interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi or Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi if funds are freed by Isak's departure.
