Manchester United Confident in Šeško Transfer as Club Sends Official Offer

Manchester United believe Benjamin Šeško only wants to go to them after lodging a formal contract proposal for the RB Leipzig striker. As per reports, Šeško is Manchester United’s top transfer target for the new season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United lodged a formal bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško, with reports placing it at £65 million plus up to £9m in add-ons. The news of a bid came after both United and Newcastle United had submitted offers for him, although Newcastle’s offer tops United’s at £78 million. However, it is believed those at United are convinced the 22-year-old Slovenian favours a move to play at Old Trafford. Leipzig have yet to accept any offer from either club, and Šeško’s future remains officially undecided. It was revealed that the forward trained alone on Tuesday, which raised questions over whether he had been kept apart from his team-mates as he prepares to leave.

TEAM AND PLAYER CONTEXT

Šeško was RB Leipzig’s top scorer last season as they finished seventh in the Bundesliga thus failing to qualify for any European competition this season, scoring 21 goals for the club, including four in the UEFA Champions League. The striker scored 21 goals and claimed six assists in 45 matches across all competitions this season, showing signs of becoming one of Europe’s leading strikers. Manchester United, meanwhile, finished fifteenth in the Premier League and missed out on European football for the new campaign. Manager Rúben Amorim is rebuilding the squad as they look to bounce back, having already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in attack. United’s attempt to finance a £73m Šeško deal was boosted by loaning Marcus Rashford to Barcelona and earning several sell-on fees.

LOOKING AHEAD

If United sign Šeško, it could transform their attack and push existing strikers like Rasmus Højlund or Joshua Zirkzee to consider leaving. For Leipzig, losing Šeško before Friday’s Bundesliga opener against Champions Bayern Munich would be a significant blow as they aim to remain close to champions Bayern Munich and second-placed Leverkusen. United’s first match of the new Premier League season is against a Arsenal side who finished 2nd last season and will be one of the title contenders. Newcastle, of course, are still keen to sign Šeško, having made a €90 million bid, and open their campaign against Aston Villa, last season’s league 6th placed team.