Manchester United suffer transfer blow with RB Leipzig close to agreeing deal for Benjamin Sesko

RB Leipzig are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko from Red Bull Salzburg.

The 19-year-old striker has attracted interest from clubs across Europe after scoring 12 goals in 39 appearances for Austrian champions Salzburg.

United are reportedly interested in Sesko, while Chelsea and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the Slovenia international.

But they are set to miss out on the forward, with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig close to agreeing a deal for the striker to join them next summer.

"RB Leipzig are closing on deal to sign Benjamin Sesko for summer 2023," tweeted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

"RB Salzburg have rejected the proposal for this summer, Sesko is happy to stay for one more year. #transfers

"Leipzig are now closing on deal for Sesko to join in 2023, could be done this week."

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Sesko will sign a five-year deal with Leipzig, who will pay €24m (£20m) for the striker.

Excl: RB Leipzig are closing on deal to sign Benjamin Šeško for summer 2023! RB Salzburg have rejected the proposal for this summer, Šeško is happy to stay for one more year. 🚨⚪️🔴 #transfers

Leipzig are now closing on deal for Šeško to join in 2023, could be done this week. pic.twitter.com/SVMPezPVV8

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2022

Of course, Benjamin Šeško will follow Timo Werner in RB Leipzig project once deal will be finalised for next summer… and Werner deal is sealed for this summer. ⚪️🔴 #RBLeipzig

Werner will undergo medical tests with Leipzig tomorrow, Šeško deal for 2023 will be done this week.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2022

Leipzig's bid for Sesko comes as the club looks to wrap up a deal for another striker, Chelsea forward Timo Werner.

Sky Sports News claim Leipzig have agreed a deal to re-sign the forward, who left the German club to join Chelsea in a £45m deal in 2020.

Leipzig have agreed to pay a €30m (£25.3m) plus bonuses for Werner, with the Germany international expected to return to his home country this week to complete the move.

While United look set to miss out on Sesko, the club remain in talks to sign Marko Arnautovic from Bologna.

The Red Devils have reportedly had a £7.2m bid rejected by the Italian club but are expected to return with an improved offer for the Austria international.

Speaking after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Brighton, United manager Erik ten Hag refused to comment on the reports linking the club with Sesko and Arnautovic.

"I don't go into names and I think in this preseason 250 players are involved or linked with Man United, so that's it," said Ten Hag.

"We have two strikers [Ronaldo and Martial] maybe a third one, [Marcus] Rashford.

"We considered him [Rashford] as a striker, but he had a really good season on the left side and he had two really good chances but the typical nine wasn't available today."