Manchester United and Newcastle United Locked in £70m+ Battle for Benjamin Šeško
Manchester United and Newcastle United are currently engaged in a high-stakes transfer battle over RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, with both Premier League clubs eager to sign the highly rated Slovenian international before the new season begins.
According to multiple reliable reports, Newcastle United have already made a significant move by submitting a formal offer to RB Leipzig.
The bid, reportedly worth £70 million (€80 million) — made up of €75 million fixed plus €5 million in add-ons — was turned down by the German side.
The rejection wasn’t based purely on the monetary value, but rather the structure of the payment, which Leipzig found unsatisfactory.
However, the Magpies aren’t backing down. Determined to strengthen their squad, they have since improved their bid, offering a revised package of €80 million with an additional €10 million in potential bonuses, taking the total value of the proposal to approximately £74 million.
Leipzig are reportedly willing to consider this improved offer, provided it includes a sell-on clause, ensuring they profit from any future transfer involving Šeško.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have entered the race and are ready to match Newcastle’s bid to bring the 22-year-old forward to Old Trafford.
Although United have not yet submitted a formal offer, sources close to the club confirm that initial talks have taken place with both Leipzig and the player’s representatives.
The Red Devils are now preparing to make their move, especially after learning the conditions under which Newcastle’s first offer was rejected.
The urgency from both clubs comes with the new Premier League season just around the corner.
Manchester United, in particular, are desperate for attacking reinforcements after enduring a dismal 2024/25 campaign, where they managed to score only 44 goals in the league.
Strikers at the club contributed a mere seven goals in total — a statistic that has alarmed the fanbase and management alike.
On the other hand, Newcastle are trying to prepare for life without Alexander Isak, who scored an impressive 23 Premier League goals last season but is reportedly pushing for a move to Liverpool. As a result, Šeško has emerged as their top target.
Though Newcastle appear to be leading the negotiations for now, there’s a twist: Šeško is believed to favor a move to Manchester United.
Multiple sources report that the striker views United as his preferred destination, despite the lack of Champions League football, due to the club’s stature and long-term project.
With the transfer window heating up and both clubs under pressure to reinforce their attacking lines, all eyes are now on Šeško and RB Leipzig.
The question remains — who will win the race for one of Europe’s most promising young strikers?
