Manchester United and Newcastle in £70m+ Showdown for RB Leipzig Star Benjamin Šeško
A fierce transfer tug-of-war has erupted between Manchester United and Newcastle United over highly rated Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško, with both clubs eager to secure his signature before the new Premier League campaign kicks off.
According to trusted sources, Newcastle have taken the first major step by submitting a formal bid to RB Leipzig worth around £70 million (€80 million) — comprised of €75 million guaranteed and €5 million in add-ons. However, Leipzig rejected the offer, not because of the overall fee, but due to dissatisfaction with the payment structure.
Refusing to back down, Newcastle returned with a revised offer totaling approximately £74 million, structured as €80 million plus €10 million in bonuses. Leipzig are now reportedly considering this updated bid — but only if a sell-on clause is included, allowing the German club to benefit from any future transfer.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have officially joined the race. While they have yet to submit an offer, insiders confirm that discussions are underway with both Leipzig and Šeško’s representatives. United are said to be ready to match Newcastle’s latest proposal as they prepare to make a formal move.
With the new season fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on both clubs to bolster their attacking options. United, in particular, are in urgent need of firepower following a lackluster 2024/25 season in which they scored just 44 league goals, with their strikers contributing only seven — a statistic that has raised concerns at all levels of the club.
For Newcastle, Šeško is seen as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who netted 23 league goals last season but is now heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.
Despite Newcastle currently being ahead in negotiations, there’s a twist: Šeško is believed to prefer a move to Old Trafford. Reports suggest he is attracted by United’s global stature and long-term ambitions, even without Champions League football on offer.
As the transfer saga heats up, all eyes are now on Leipzig and Šeško. The battle between United and Newcastle could go down to the wire — but only one will land one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers.
