Benjamin Sesko: Manchester United handed transfer boost after 'insufficient' rival bid | OneFootball

United face familiar competition for striker’s signature

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko after a rival bid for the striker was reportedly knocked back.

However, United are facing competition from a Premier League rival in their quest to land the Slovenian.

Newcastle United are keen on signing the forward as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who wants to leave St James’ Park, and the Swede was the subject of a rejected £110million bid from Liverpool on Friday.

United, who, according to Fabrizio Romano, had unsuccessfully enquired about Isak’s availability, could now have the upper hand in the race to sign Sesko.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle had taken a front-footed approach in their attempts to lure Sesko to Tyneside, as they lodged a bid worth €80million - €75m up front and €5m in add-ons - for Sesko’s services.

However, it could be advantage United, as The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein reported on Saturday evening that Leipzig had deemed Newcastle’s bid as “insufficient”.

Ornstein noted that Leipzig’s initial demands for their talisman had been around the €75m plus add-ons mark, which Newcastle had met, but now, it appears that their stance has changed.

Sesko was omitted from Leipzig’s squad for their friendly against Atalanta due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future.

The same can be said of the Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, who is high on Chelsea’s priority list.

United are yet to bid themselves for Sesko, but are in contact with Leipzig over a potential deal for the 22-year-old, who scored 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga games last term.