Newcastle make formal bid for RB Leipzigs Benjamin Sesko as they aim to beat Manchester United to strikers signing

Newcastle United have reportedly made a formal bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as they look to beat Premier League rivals Manchester United to the signing of the 22-year-old, who is one of the best young forwards in the world at present. Newcastle have identified Sesko as their top striker target this summer, however, they face intense competition from United for his transfer.

As per The Athletic, Newcastle United have made an offer worth 80 million euros for the RB Leipzig striker. The bid, which was tabled in the last 24 hours, consists of a fee of 75 million euros up front and 5 million euros in add-ons. Newcastle United have moved swiftly for Sesko as they want to lock in the Slovenian striker as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who has asked the club to let him leave this summer.

Isak has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Liverpool in the ongoing transfer window. Despite having signed French striker Hugo Ekitike from German club Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool are interested in bringing in Isak, who will cost a fortune. Liverpool reportedly had an offer of 110 million pounds rejected by Newcastle United earlier this week and are expected to come back with a better offer.

Newcastle might have turned down Liverpool's offer and have maintained that Isak is not for sale. However, the club seem to be preparing for life without the Swedish striker, who has refused to join the rest of the Newcastle United squad on their pre-season tour of Asia and is reportedly training separately in Spain as he looks to secure a move away from the club.

Manchester United are also interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Sesko and have already initiated formal contacts with the club and the representatives of the striker. Earlier, it was reported that United are prioritising Sesko as their preferred target for the striker position this summer and will only bring the Slovenian international to the club if they are to sign a striker in the ongoing window.

Sesko, who signed a new deal at RB Leipzig last season, has so far scored 39 goals and provided 8 assists in 87 appearances for the club since joining in 2023 from Red Bull Salzburg. Sesko is yet to prove himself on the big stage, but those who have seen his progress believe he has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world in the coming years.

United and Newcastle are not the only clubs that showcased interest in the Slovenian striker. He was also on Arsenal's radar this summer, and the London club was involved in negotiations with RB Leipzig before deciding to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Chelsea are also admirers of Sesko, but won't move from him this summer, having signed Laim Delap.