Newcastle Chasing Sesko, But Forward Wants United
David Ornstein reported that both Manchester United, with a £73.8 million bid, and Newcastle United, with £78.3 million, made formal offers this week for Benjamin Sesko. He said that United are closing in on their main striker target even though Leipzig accepted Newcastle’s higher offer. The Slovenian has made it clear he favours a move to the 20-time champions, which has forced Leipzig to negotiate United’s lower proposal in order to respect the player’s wishes. Ornstein added that Newcastle presented Sesko with the chance of a more lucrative financial package and Champions League football, secured through their fifth-place finish last season, but he still preferred Old Trafford.
Sesko now looks set to become another player who has rejected Newcastle this summer, following Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike. This pursuit comes while Alexander Isak is being linked with a major transfer to Liverpool, with Newcastle having already turned down a £110m offer last week. United had initially focused on other options before moving strongly for Sesko. Delap topped their shortlist once Ipswich’s relegation triggered a £30m release clause, while talks were also held for Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres. The latter has since completed a transfer to Arsenal.
Hojlund Bracing for Exit
Rasmus Hojlund has accepted privately that United are likely to sell him if Sesko arrives. According to Manchester Evening News, he is resigned to being forced out by INEOS despite publicly stating his wish to remain at Old Trafford.
Hojlund had spoken of wanting to stay through the summer and compete for a starting place even if another striker was signed. Yet, the situation appears to be slipping beyond his control as United close in on Sesko, who is preparing to sign a five-year deal after opting for Manchester over Newcastle’s higher bid and Champions League offer.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Leipzig had tried to secure Hojlund in a direct swap, viewing him as a like-for-like successor to Sesko, but the Dane turned down the approach. His future destination remains uncertain after spells in Denmark, Austria, Italy and England. Last season he scored just four goals in 32 Premier League appearances, a sharp decline from the ten he netted in his debut campaign.
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