Benjamin Sesko transfer news: Man Utd expected to make formal offer for RB Leipzig forward after Newcastle bid

Manchester United are expected to make a formal offer for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko after Newcastle bid £69.8m over the weekend.

Manchester United have been in talks with Leipzig over what they would be prepared to pay.

As Sky Sports News reported on Saturday, Newcastle are also in ongoing talks over the structure of a deal after making their official bid.

Sesko is open to both projects but one source told Sky Sports News he is leaning towards Manchester United if they can agree a deal.

United’s pursuit of Sesko throws into question Rasmus Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford with the club understood to be listening to suitable offers for the striker.

It was thought United would have to make sales in order to bring in a striker. However, while the priority is to offload players, it is understood Ruben Amorim’s side can buy before selling, provided there are sales before the window closes.

It is understood RB Leipzig are interested in Hojlund and have explored the conditions of a loan. Leipzig had proposed taking the striker on loan as part of any possible deal for Sesko.

Hojlund started the first two games of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against West Ham, and has publicly said he wants to stay and fight for his place, but the possible arrival of a new striker could limit his game time.

A scenario where Sesko joins and Hojlund stays cannot be ruled out.

RB Leipzig chief talks Sesko future

Sesko was absent from RB Leipzig’s pre-season friendly loss to Atalanta on Saturday due to his expected departure from the club. The striker has reportedly told his team-mates that he will be leaving, according to Sky in Germany.

Marcel Schafer, RB Leipzig’s managing director for sport, confirmed clubs have made approaches for Sesko.

“We won’t go into detail on that but when I say that several clubs have shown strong interest and have made approaches, it’s obvious what has happened,” he said.

Newcastle are also interested in Yoane Wissa, who was not part of Brentford’s squad for their friendly against QPR on Saturday as he pushes for a move.

Howe: We only want the best targets

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said Newcastle are only “looking for the best” in terms of transfer targets amid a challenging window for the club.

Not only have the Magpies been hit by Isak’s desire to leave, but they have also missed out on a number of transfer targets to rivals including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and James Trafford.

Newcastle have also hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Wissa after having a £25m bid knocked back, but the Brentford striker is still not featuring for Keith Andrews’ first team.

With Callum Wilson joining West Ham, it leaves just Will Osula as their only recognised first-team striker on their pre-season tour of Asia.

“We’re looking for the best players that we can get,” said Howe. “Whatever our target position is, we’re looking for the best so I see all situations open and available to us.

“I feel that’s the only way that we’re going to get to where we want to go, which is to maximise, and it’s quality over quantity. It always has been. That’s always been the way that we try to work and the way that we try to recruit, and I think we’ve done it pretty well to this point.

“It’s been a challenging summer, because we’ve missed out on various targets for loads of different reasons, but we’re still very competitive, and we’re still in there trying to bring very good players to the club – and that won’t change until the window shuts.”