Manchester United’s pursuit for Benjamin Sesko could do Chelsea two huge favours this summer. The 22-year-old has been the subject of transfer interest from Premier League clubs, with United and Newcastle United going head-to-head for his signature.
Ruben Amorim’s side are in the market for a new No.9, while the Magpies are anticipating a departure from Alexander Isak.
Isak informed the club he was considering his options away from Tyneside at the end of last month. The bombshell has already seen Liverpool bid for the striker but their offer was knocked back.
On Monday night, reports emerged that RB Leipzig had received an improved offer from Newcastle for Sesko. The Magpies initially submitted a bid worth up to £69.8 million on Saturday, but Leipzig deemed it insufficient and turned it down.
Newcastle have since come in with a second proposal in the region of £78.4m including add-ons, as per The Athletic, but United have followed that up with a £65.2 million offer plus £8.7m in add-ons for the Slovenian.
According to German outlet BILD, Sesko is set to train away from the main Leipzig squad on Tuesday amid ongoing transfer speculation.
Should United sign Sesko, it could potentially give Chelsea the chance to sell Nicolas Jackson. The striker was seen as the main man in attack last season, but incoming transfers have somewhat changed the picture at Stamford Bridge.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has added Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in a cut-price £30million deal, while Joao Pedro has also arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60m.
football.london has consistently reported this summer that Chelsea had no plans to sell Jackson, viewing the Senegalese forward as a potential £100m striker in the future.
While Jackson is happy in west London, the club’s transfer stance could change – especially as Newcastle could potentially come knocking on the door if they miss out on Sesko.
The Athletic have also suggested the Blues are prepared to sanction a move for Jackson if the right offer arrives.
If United secure a deal for Sesko, it could benefit Chelsea in two ways. If Newcastle miss out on Sesko, it makes it highly unlikely that Isak will leave, if a suitable replacement can’t be found.
The Blues could wait until later in the window to sell Jackson to Newcastle, leaving Liverpool with not enough time to complete any potential Isak transfer.
But if Chelsea choose to keep Jackson, Sesko joining United would likely mean Isak stays at Newcastle – potentially hampering Liverpool’s bid to retain the Premier League title.
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