Transfer news, done deals, analysis & gossip
Man Utd and Newcastle both bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko
BBC Sport has been told striker is keen on move to Red Devils
Gossip: Both clubs could move for Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson if they miss out on Slovenia international
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I think at this point you could make an XI of players who have rejected Newcastle this window that would actually beat the current Newcastle first team....
Dan, Bournemouth
Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United sources have previously outlined how it is possible for them to reach an agreement on Benjamin Sesko with RB Leipzig despite a number of recent financial cost-cutting measures by the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos Group bought a 27.7% stake in United in February 2024, said earlier this year that there was the potential for the club to go bust by Christmas without massive cost-cutting measures.
But payment arrangements for the deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford this summer, which total £130m, have been arranged in a favourable way.
In addition, the entirety of Marcus Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary is being covered by his loan move to Barcelona and Manchester United received £5m from Chelsea after the Blues pulled out of a deal to sign Jadon Sancho.
Manchester United have also received more than £15m in payments as part of sell-on clauses involving Anthony Elanga, Alvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United want to sign RB Leipzig's Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, but having already spent £130m this summer on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, they will need to make a sale before the window closes.
Rasmus Hojlund is the obvious candidate to make way, and United are willing to listen to offers of at least £30m.
However, during United's pre-season tour of the United States, Hojlund sought out journalists immediately after his side's draw with Bournemouth in Chicago to say his intention is to stay at Old Trafford.
If Hojlund was sold for £30m, it would represent a £13m loss for United given the forward's 'book value' is £43m as he is two years into the five-year contract he signed.
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Feel for Hojlund in all of this, he didn't ask for his price tag, then he didn't have the support needed. The amount of games where the wingers made more passes to Onana than him was a joke and now he looks to be forced out.
Anon, Manchester
Going to be hilarious when NUFC go for Jackson and Chelsea instinctively put a bid in for him as well.
Anon
Image source, Getty ImagesSome more positive news for the Manchester United camp.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed on X, external that the Red Devils have reached a "total agreement" with Benjamin Sesko over personal terms.
He adds that the agreed contract will run until June 2030.
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
One of these days you lot will take me seriously. One of these days....
Now, back to the Sesko saga!
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Think you’d have to inspect the grass yourself to see who has the better pitch Joe…
Conor, Kent
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If Newcastle don't sell Isak this summer, Sesko will be behind him and might not start. However if Utd do or don't sell Hojlund, Sesko would still start. Guaranteed football or not. That's a big choice for a young lad.
Simon, Manchester
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Benjamin Sesko updates are coming thick and fast now.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed on X, external that Man Utd have improved their Sesko offer and are currently proposing €80m plus add-ons (previously €75m plus add-ons).
However, as of this morning RB Leipizig hasn't accepted an offer, and further improvements are being demanded.
It is still believed Sesko is keen to join Man Utd.
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
Good points, everyone. What is in the Newcastle pitch then? Newcastle fans, why exactly should Sesko, or any top level striker for that matter, be choosing your club?
And same for Manchester United fans? What do you say to convince players to join?
Genuinely intrigued who has the better pitch.
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Would have hoped Champions League and a solid team around him would have drawn Sesko to Newcastle. But his alleged decision to head to Manchester reeks of something in the Newcastle project really putting players off. Incredibly disheartening news.
Ben, Newcastle fan
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I think Sesko will choose United, one season out of Europe won't hurt. I'm very optimistic for the season ahead. We just need a midfielder, right wing back and keeper, not much to ask for!
Jordan, Southend
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This saga is so interesting. Newcastle are clearly the better choice yet he seems to want Manchester. Questions need to be asked about how poor a pitch Newcastle are giving to players. Maybe they need to stop competing with the biggest clubs for signings and try and unearth some gems.
Richard, London
Bundesliga journalist Christopher Michel has just posted on X, external that Manchester United "have a good chance of winning the race for Benjamin Sesko".
He adds Manchester United seem to be one of the clubs included in RB Leipzig's reported "gentlemen's agreement" with Sesko which would see Leipzig accept a reasonable bid for the player.
"Newcastle were probably just used in a poker game," writes Michel.
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We hope to bring you more details on the Sesko situation shortly and will dive into other deals on the offing, so stay with us.
Image source, Getty ImagesRB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is set to become Manchester United's fourth summer signing, if latest reports are anything to go by.
Portuguese tactician Ruben Amorim is looking to rebuild a United squad that finished 15th last season.
United made a bid of about £74m for the Slovenian striker and Sesko's arrival would push the club's summer spending to more than £200m during this transfer window.
United previously signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a deal worth £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for £65m, which could rise to £71m with add-ons.
Seventeen-year-old Paraguayan defender Diego Leon has also moved to Old Trafford from Cerro Porteno for an undisclosed fee.
Manchester United's summer signings:
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Man United have the name and pedigree but Newcastle have the better team and prospects. That’s the choice. The trouble is for Newcastle, even though they are the better team are they likely to win anything? Probably not?
Graham, Essex
Benjamin Sesko has been attracting attention for a couple of years now, but last season was the best of his career so far.
The 22-year-old scored 21 goals in 45 games in all competitions for RB Leipzig, and chipped in with six assists to boot.
Four of those goals came in the Champions League, as Leipzig failed to progress beyond the league phase.
He scored 13 goals in 31 Bundesliga outings at a rate of one goal every 184 minutes.
Joe Rindl
BBC Sport
Thanks, Michael. Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, potentially Benjamin Sesko...
Any other forwards Newcastle have missed out on I've forgotten?
