(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 8 August 2025 9:09, UK

Benjamin Sesko has always had his heart set on a move to Man United and is now prepared to snub Newcastle in favour of the Red Devils.

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Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about the 22-year-old’s destination after both clubs lodged formal offers.

Both clubs had been locked in negotiations with RB Leipzig over the last few days, before United reached an agreement despite a “huge” offer from Newcastle.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 3 August that Sesko wants to join Man United while talks were ongoing with Newcastle behind the scenes.

Benjamin Sesko is set to join Man United.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Since then, a fee was agreed with Leipzig and the striker is set to undergo a medical before being unveiled as their star signing at Old Trafford on 9 August.

[Fabrizio Romano]

That is despite Football Insider‘s exclusive reveal that Newcastle held a three-hour call with Sesko to convince him to make the move to St James’ Park.

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 5 August that Ruben Amorim was confident of landing Sesko given his preference to join United.

The striker is now close to making the move official, in what has come as another huge blow to Eddie Howe’s transfer plans, and they will be forced to look elsewhere.

O’Rourke explained that the striker always had his heart set on a move to Old Trafford despite the talks with Newcastle, who have now missed out on another key target.

“United will beat Newcastle to signing Sesko,” he told Football Insider.

“That’s another massive blow to Newcastle, who have missed out on a number of targets to their rivals.

“They did put in a higher bid than Man United with a huge offer, but it does seem the player had his heart set on a move to Old Trafford and that’s not going to change.

Eddie Howe has missed out on another key target.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

“United have always had the edge on this one with talks ongoing between Man United officials and Leipzig officials over the last few days.

“They were trying to thrash out a fee that’s agreeable for everybody and the payment structure of that transfer fee as well.

“This deal will get done now, in a blow to Newcastle who will now have to look elsewhere for striker reinforcements.”

Following Sesko’s decision to join Man United, Newcastle are going to be forced to set their sights on a new star striker, with Ollie Watkins on their radar.

Brown told Football Insider on 5 August that Newcastle want to sign Watkins as Howe is a “big fan” of the 29-year-old England international.

He is seen as their second-choice attacking target behind Sesko, while they were still pushing to agree a deal before his decision to join Man United.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 29 July that Newcastle have added Watkins to their list of targets as they prepare to lose Alexander Isak.

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