Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund has rejected the chance to join RB Leipzig, which could have a major influence on the Red Devils’ pursuit of Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenia international is currently the subject of an epic transfer struggle between the Old Trafford club and a desperate Newcastle side, who are scrambling to sign a replacement for Alexander Isak.
The Magpies put all their cards on the table overnight by submitting a formal bid for Sesko that matches RB Leipzig’s €80 million asking price. However, the deal is still not advancing as Sesko remains undecided on which club to join.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the 22-year-old – but also in Man Utd’s. The Red Devils now have to make a decision on whether to match Newcastle’s bid or to try to convince Sesko to agitate for a move to Manchester, potentially enabling a cheaper deal.
Leipzig, for their part, have expressed an interest in Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund as they will need a replacement for Sesko. This could have been a trump card for Man Utd, but according to talkSPORT, the Dane has made it emphatically clear that he is not interested.
Hojlund snubs Leipzig – bad news for Man Utd?
Hojlund is said to have reiterated to Man Utd his recent public comments that he wants to stay and fight for his place. However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the 22-year-old could yet leave if told by Man Utd that he is surplus to requirements.
This hasn’t happened yet, however. As things stand, Hojlund will stay at Man Utd and, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, this could actually work in the Red Devils’ favour even though it seems to actually damage their chances of striking a deal for Sesko.
Downie posits that a double deal of Sesko going one way and Hojlund the other would have been much more complicated than a straightforward purchase of the Leipzig man without any additional strings attached.
Of course, Hojlund to Leipzig would have been a separate deal for accounting reasons, but it would have required more paperwork, more negotiations, more effort than if it were just Sesko moving to Man Utd or Newcastle.
Regardless of the Hojlund situation, the Magpies are now the favourites for Sesko because, unlike Man Utd, they have actually put their money where their mouth is. Reports from Sesko’s native Slovenia also suggest that he is keen on the move to St. James’ Park.
Downie reports that Newcastle are in with a real chance of signing Sesko as they have left him impressed with the project and financials they have presented. A few days ago, the situation looked bleak as the striker was favouring Man Utd, but it’s no longer as clear-cut.
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