It’s the kind of twist that makes the summer transfer window so unpredictable.
Out of nowhere, betting markets were thrown into chaos after Manchester United finally stepped forward with a formal bid for Benjamin Sesko, one of Europe’s most talked-about young strikers.
The buzz around the 22-year-old Slovenian has reached a new peak—and now even the bookies are pulling the plug.
Bookmakers Hit the Brakes After United’s £73.8M Bid
As of Tuesday morning, Betfair suspended all betting on where Sesko would land this summer.
Why? Because Manchester United have officially tabled a deal worth £73.8 million to RB Leipzig.
That includes an initial £65.1m plus £8.7m in add-ons—slightly shy of the £78.2m total package offered by Newcastle just a day earlier.
Even though the offers are close, the shift in momentum was enough to make Betfair call time on the odds.
Just 24 hours earlier, United were odds-on favourites at 8/15.
United Confident Despite Lower Bid
So why are United still confident? According to insiders, Sesko’s personal preference might be to join Old Trafford.
That could give United the edge despite offering a bit less than Newcastle.
Behind the scenes, the move is being led by United’s director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who knows Sesko well from their time together at RB Salzburg.
Vivell is said to rate the 6ft 4in forward extremely highly and sees him as a potential world-class striker.
The Bigger Picture in United’s Attack
United have already splashed over £130m this summer to bring in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both intended to bolster their attacking options.
The plan is to build a support system around a new central striker—and Sesko is clearly that priority.
If he signs, it likely spells the end of the road for Rasmus Hojlund, who is reportedly being lined up for a move to Leipzig in the opposite direction.
In fact, the odds are now 3/10 for Hojlund to head to Germany.
Why Newcastle Is Still in the Race
Newcastle haven’t given up hope. They’re in desperate need of a replacement for Alexander Isak, who has his eyes firmly set on a move to Liverpool.
Though the Reds had a £110m bid rejected, they’re expected to come back with an improved offer—once Newcastle have a new striker in hand.
Sesko has been high on their list, and they’ve already made two attempts to sign him.
However, if things don’t move quickly, PSG’s Goncalo Ramos could become their fallback option.
Sesko’s Decision Looms Large
Ultimately, Benjamin Sesko holds the key to all of this. RB Leipzig hasn’t responded to United’s bid just yet, but there’s an informal agreement in place that he can leave if the right offer comes in. Talks with Sesko and his agent Elvis Basanovic took place over the weekend, and he’s reportedly training away from the main squad as he weighs up his next steps.
A final decision is expected soon, especially with the new Premier League season just days away.
Arsenal and Others Moved On
Earlier in the window, Arsenal were heavily linked with Sesko, even listing him as a top target. But they’ve since turned their attention elsewhere—successfully signing Viktor Gyokeres instead. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was also once on United’s radar, though that trail seems to have gone cold.
United’s Transfer Push Isn’t Slowing Down
United’s chief executive Omar Berrada, speaking from Atlanta, made it clear the club is all-in on strengthening before the window closes. With Jason Wilcox and the recruitment team working round the clock, the focus is now on final touches and big impact signings.
“We want to win and win quickly,” Berrada said. “Adding quality players helps us get there faster. We’ve already brought in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Diego Leon, but we’re still looking for more.”
Sesko’s Stats Speak for Themselves
If you’re wondering why there’s such a scramble for Sesko, just take a look at the numbers:
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21 goals in all competitions last season
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39 goals and 8 assists in 87 appearances for Leipzig since 2023
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Height, athleticism, and a striker’s instinct that’s hard to find
