(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 3 August 2025 9:30, UK

Benjamin Sesko wants to join Man United this summer despite rival interest from Newcastle United with talks ongoing behind the scenes.

RB Leipzig and Newcastle United still in talks over Benjamin Sesko deal	Newcastle United win race to sign Benjamin Sesko	RB Leipzig reject Newcastle United bid for Benjamin Sesko

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about the 22-year-old’s future and the race to agree a deal with RB Leipzig.

Ruben Amorim’s side are confident they can win the race for the striker and believe his desire to move to Old Trafford gives them the edge over their rivals.

This comes as Football Insider revealed on 1 August that Man United are pushing to sign Sesko and believe they have the financial muscle to get a deal over the line.

However, Newcastle saw their first bid of £69.9million rejected by the Bundesliga outfit, who are known to be tough negotiators after pricing Arsenal out of the move earlier this summer.

Football Insider exclusively revealed in March that Arsenal were leading the race to sign Sesko – before they ultimately decided Gyokeres was the better value deal.

Benjamin Sesko is at the centre of a transfer race.

(Credit: Getty Images)

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Former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that Man United are working on signing a striker after Gyokeres made clear his desire to join Arsenal.

Sesko has since emerged as their top target for the position, while Newcastle view him as the ideal replacement for want-away star Alexander Isak.

O’Rourke explained that, while it won’t be easy to agree a deal with Leipzig, United are confident and working hard to get a deal over the line.

“Man United have made him their number one target,” he told Football Insider.

“They are trying to get a deal over the line for him and have made the player an offer, but it won’t be easy dealing with Leipzig as we know.

“We’ve seen Arsenal already this summer not being able to get a deal done for the Slovenia international, but it looks like United are trying everything they can.

“The key for United is that the player wants to move to Old Trafford.

“They will be confident that will give them the edge to win the race for Sesko, who has also been a target for Newcastle due to the ongoing speculation about Alexander Isak.”

Ruben Amorim is determined to strengthen up front.

(Credit: Imago)

Sesko is not the only striker on Amorim’s radar this summer, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins also emerging as a potential target late in the window.

However, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 2 August that United could walk away from signing Watkins due to his lofty price tag.

United are said to have “baulked” at the £60million valuation placed on the 29-year-old, who remains a key player for Unai Emery given their lack of depth up front.

This comes after former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle are considering signing Watkins as they search for Isak replacements.

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