MANCHESTER UNITED have launched a £74million bid for Benjamin Sesko, according to reports in Germany.
The Red Devils are competing with Newcastle to sign the highly-rated RB Leipzig striker.
Newcastle had a club-record £70m bid knocked back on Saturday, before returning last night with an improved offer worth an initial £69.5m, with a further £4.5m in add-ons.
According to Bild, Man Utd have now tabled a £65m bid for Sesko, with a further £9m in add-ons.
RB Leipzig are said to still be mulling over both offers, with a bidding war in their interests.
Sesko is claimed by the German outlet to be undecided on which move he would rather make.
The 22-year-old is training away from his team-mates today amid transfer speculation.
While RB Leipzig are happy to prompt a bidding war, club chiefs want a resolution to the situation in the near future in order to give them time to replace their front man.
According to The Athletic, Man Utd reckon that Sesko would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Newcastle.
But the Toon remain determined to land their top target.
Man Utd are keen to bolster their ranks with a Sesko deal that would take their summer spending on a new attacking trident to over £200m.
Ruben Amorim’s side signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal back in June.
Red Devils bosses then sealed a £71m swoop for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo last month.
Newcastle, meanwhile, want to sign a new striker amid strong speculation that Alexander Isak could leave this month.
The Swede, 25, recently told club chiefs that he wants to leave St James’ Park, and subsequently missed their pre-season Asia tour.
Liverpool have since had a £110m offer knocked back, and could bid again should Newcastle land a replacement.
The Toon have so far failed to sign several of their summer targets, including Anfield new-boy Hugo Ekitike.
In addition to Sesko, Eddie Howe’s men have also been linked with wantaway Brentford star Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle would have more than one vacancy up front should Isak depart, having also let Callum Wilson go on a free transfer at the end of last season.
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