Man Utd 'submit Benjamin Sesko bid' as Newcastle face another hammer blow

Manchester United have rivalled Newcastle's offer for Benjamin Sesko by sending a bid of their own to RB Leipzig, according to reports. The two Premier League giants are going head-to-head for the signing of Slovenia's leading frontman, whose preference is expected to determine the outcome of the transfer saga.

Newcastle are in the market to replace Alexander Isak, who is wanted by Liverpool. And having landed on Sesko as their top target, they sent a second bid for the 22-year-old worth a reported £73.9million on Monday night. With Leipzig's valuation believed to have been met, United have taken the development as their cue to try and spoil the party.

According to Bild, United have matched the total value of Newcastle's offer by putting together a £73.9m package. The Athletic claim that £65.2m of that proposal would be paid up front with the rest made up of add-ons.

Leipzig have separated Sesko from the rest of their squad due to the uncertainty surrounding his future, and he trained individually on Tuesday. He is believed to have told both United and Newcastle that he 'only wants to join them', but one of the clubs will be left disappointed.

If Leipzig give the green light to both proposals, it will be down to Sesko to decide his future. If the 6ft 5in marksman heads for Old Trafford it would be another crushing blow for Newcastle in what has been a disastrous summer transfer window.

They saw bids rejected for Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro before the moves were hijacked by Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. They were keen on Liam Delap but lost out again to Chelsea, and long-term target Bryan Mbeumo ended up signing for United. James Trafford was another near-miss as he snubbed Tyneside to return to Manchester City.

Newcastle at least looked like they would mitigate those losses by keeping hold of Isak, who has surpassed 20 Premier League goals in each of the last two seasons. But the Swede is now pushing to leave the north-east and force through a move to Liverpool.

On top of that, Magpies chiefs have run into even more difficulty in their pursuit of Yoane Wissa. Brentford have already sold Mbeumo and they don't want to lose both of their star attackers in the same window. Wissa is refusing to train with the Bees after they rejected Newcastle's £25m bid and it is unclear how the situation will be resolved.