The Benjamin Šeško transfer saga has taken a major twist. Just as it seemed Newcastle United were closing in on the talented striker, Manchester United have entered the race with an official bid to RB Leipzig. Their offer is worth just under £74 million (€85 million), including £65 million up front and £8.9 million in performance-related add-ons.

This bid, while slightly lower than Newcastle’s existing offer of £80 million (€90 million), has changed the entire dynamic of the negotiations. Newcastle had moved swiftly, submitting a club-record bid and offering Šeško a key role and a lucrative salary package. The Magpies were confident they had done everything possible to secure the deal and had even received positive signals from the player’s side over the past 24 hours.

However, internally, there was always some concern that Manchester United would eventually enter the picture. That concern has now become reality. One source has suggested that while Šeško is open to both options, if it came down to a choice between the two, he would favour a move to Old Trafford. The prestige of Manchester United, the club’s project under Erik ten Hag, and the promise of regular Champions League football could all be decisive factors.

RB Leipzig have yet to formally respond to either offer. The expectation is that they will leave the decision to the player, especially considering that both bids are relatively close in value. From a financial standpoint, Newcastle’s offer is slightly stronger, both in guaranteed fee and total value, which makes it even more intriguing that the player might prefer Manchester United.

The outcome of this transfer saga could have broader implications. Newcastle’s pursuit of Šeško is closely tied to the future of Alexander Isak. Liverpool had a £110 million bid for Isak rejected last week, and Newcastle have made it clear that they will not allow the Swedish striker to leave unless they secure a replacement they deem of similar quality. Šeško is that replacement. If he opts for Manchester United instead, it leaves Newcastle in a vulnerable position and could open the door for Liverpool to make a second attempt for Isak.

This isn’t the first time Newcastle have found themselves in this situation. Earlier in the window, they missed out on several key targets after getting deep into negotiations, only for those players to choose other clubs. Hugo Ekitike went to Liverpool, João Pedro and Liam Delap both joined Chelsea, and Manchester United themselves beat Newcastle to Bryan Mbeumo. Missing out on Šeško after coming this far would be another major blow in a window that has already been difficult for the Magpies.

From United’s side, the move appears to be timed perfectly. They’ve stayed patient and waited to act until they were sure of Šeško’s interest. Their bid may be lower in value, but if the player signals a preference, it could be enough to get the deal over the line.

As things stand, both clubs have bids on the table. Neither has been accepted or rejected. Leipzig are not expected to delay for long, and the next move belongs to Benjamin Šeško. His decision will not only shape his own future but could also have ripple effects across the Premier League, especially at Newcastle and Liverpool.

This is a developing story, but what is certain now is that it’s a two-horse race—and the finish line is approaching fast.