It looks like Manchester United is set to win the race for Benjamin Sesko. Their main competitor, Newcastle United, has reportedly pulled out of the running for the RB Leipzig striker.
Sesko has been a hot topic in the transfer market over the past few days, with reports suggesting he's keen on leaving Leipzig this summer. Both Manchester United and Newcastle were initially in a tight contest to secure his signature, impressed by the young forward’s standout performances.
However, according to Sky Sports News, Newcastle has decided to back out of the chase. The report states that the club has accepted defeat, as Sesko has made it clear that United is his preferred destination.
Despite Newcastle’s participation in next season’s Champions League, Sesko is said to be fully set on joining Manchester United and has shown little interest in a move to St. James’ Park.
As a result, Newcastle has shifted focus to other targets and is now preparing alternative plans. That said, there’s still a small window of opportunity for the Magpies.
Interestingly, Newcastle's offer was reportedly more lucrative than United’s €90 million compared to United’s €85 million bid. This means that if United fails to match or improve their proposal, Newcastle could still have a slim chance to swoop in.
In the meantime, Newcastle has started drawing up a shortlist of backup options, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins mentioned as one of the potential alternatives.
