Manchester United’s bid for RB leipzig striker has officially collapsed, as the RB Leipzig striker has chosen to join Newcastle United instead
Manchester United have suffered a major setback in their attempt to strengthen their attacking options, following the breakdown of a proposed €80m (£69m) deal for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško. After a disappointing Premier League season that yielded just 44 goals, United had identified Šeško as their primary target to lead the line.
Šeško, who found the net 13 times in the Bundesliga during the 2024/25 campaign, was pursued aggressively by United, with recruitment chief Christopher Vivell using his past ties to Salzburg and Leipzig in a bid to land the towering striker. Standing at 6ft 4in with impressive pace, Šeško was seen as a player who could replicate the impact of Erling Haaland. Initial discussions took place between United, Leipzig, and the striker’s representatives, and there was hope of a breakthrough given Šeško’s gentleman’s agreement allowing a move for €80m–€90m.
However, Newcastle United emerged as the frontrunner, enticing the Slovenian striker with the promise of Champions League football and a clear vision under manager Eddie Howe. With Alexander Isak reportedly interested in leaving, the Magpies were prepared to fund the Šeško deal through a potential £150m sale of their star forward. This left United outpaced and outbid, despite their early interest.
The failed transfer leaves United’s attack worryingly thin. Rasmus Højlund, who managed just four league goals last season, has shown flashes of improvement in pre-season, including in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth, but questions remain about his consistency. Joshua Zirkzee has yet to find his rhythm, and with Marcus Rashford currently on loan at Barcelona and the futures of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony up in the air, the club’s offensive depth is under serious threat.
Though Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha bring speed and creativity, neither is a natural centre-forward. This leaves head coach Ruben Amorim — whose 3-4-3 formation depends on a strong central striker — with limited choices and possibly in need of a tactical adjustment, such as switching to a 4-4-2 to get the most out of Højlund’s link-up play.
United’s inability to complete the Šeško deal also highlights financial limitations. With several high-salary players yet to be moved on, the club has struggled to balance its books, making big-money moves difficult. Alternatives like Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson were quickly ruled out due to high price tags, and Leipzig were unwilling to budge on their valuation of Šeško.
Amorim, who had hoped to recreate his success with Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting Lisbon, is now under pressure to produce results with an undermanned forward line. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s bold move strengthens their position and signals their ambitions ahead of the new campaign. With the transfer window closing in August 2025, United are left scrambling for solutions.
Despite the detailed nature of this transfer drama, it’s important to note that the entire story — from Šeško’s switch to Newcastle, to Vivell’s involvement, to Isak’s potential exit — is purely fictional. There are no credible confirmations of any such events occurring.
