Manchester United have made their first move for Benjamin Sesko, their top target who finds himself the subject of a two-horse race. Newcastle United are also keen on the Slovenian and submitted an opening offer of £70m on Saturday (August 2) which was rejected by RB Leipzig.
Sesko has yet to decide on his future but has told teammates he's definitely leaving Red Bull Arena. It seems the 22-year-old will either arrive at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim's new number nine or replace Alexander Isak at St James' Park.
INEOS' strategy has been to get the player on board before targeting them. Their decision to make a bid for the Slovenia international could mean they've got the green light and learned that Manchester United is his preference.
Man United make offer for Sesko
German outlet Kicker (via SimplyUtd) reports that Manchester United have submitted their first offer for Sesko that is around the same fee of £70m (€80m) that Newcastle offered. Leipzig turned down the Magpies' bid and both are viewed as "insufficient" but provide a basis of negotiations.
That said, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook reported that Newcastle feared Sesko was holding out for a move to Old Trafford because of their failed bid. Leipzig obviously wouldn't accept the exact same offer.
But INEOS likely wouldn't have made an offer without learning that Sesko's desire is to join Amorim's side over Eddie Howe's. It was a tactic used in signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom had receieved interest from Champions League competing clubs.
Rasmus Hojlund's future could play a role
Rasmus Hojlund told reporters that he didn't want to leave United and that he was willing to stay and fight for his place. But the Red Devils are ready to sell the Dane at £30m (per BBC Sport's Simon Stone), taking a significant hit on the £72m they spent on him.
The 22-year-old has struggled to reach expectations but being a boyhood club he wants to be a success at Old Trafford. He's snubbed the chance to join Leipzig, potentially as part of a swap deal that sees Sesko arrive in the other direction.
Amorim may have made his stance clear on Sunday (August 3) when he named Hojlund on the bench for his side's pre-season friendly against Everton. He handed Mbeumo his debut up top at the expense of the under-fire Danish frontman who managed just four league goals last season.
READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS HERE: