Liverpool are at risk of losing out on signing Alexander Isak and it all comes down to whether or not Newcastle United can beat Manchester United to Benjamin Sesko.
This summer, Liverpool have blown their rivals out of the water with their transfer activity and have made themselves even firmer favourites to lift the 2025/26 Premier League title.
On Monday, Arne Slot showcased his new-look side featuring all the new signings with Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz particularly exciting on their Anfield debuts.
Yet, things stand to get even more thrilling should Liverpool defy the odds and complete a second English transfer record after the club and league record signing of Wirtz.
Now, the chances of that happening are being put at risk by none other than arch rivals Manchester United.
How Manchester United are jeopardising Liverpool’s plans to sign Alexander Isak with their bid for Benjamin Sesko
Liverpool have been at the centre of a few dominos falling in the transfer market with the most recent being their acquisition of Ekitike which forced Newcastle into pursuing Sesko.
Today, however, David Ornstein reports that the Magpies are at risk of losing out on Sesko as well as Manchester United have tabled a bid of their own for the Slovenian striker.
Ornstein reports: “Manchester United have submitted a bid of €75million plus €10m in add-ons for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Leipzig are yet to respond to the Premier League club’s proposal.”
? BREAKING: Manchester United make offer to RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko. Proposal €75m + €10m – reflects #MUFC valuation of 22yo & they believe striker favours Old Trafford. No reply yet from #RBLeipzig. #NUFC also working to close deal @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/5O8AT6Alej
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 5, 2025
Ornstein adds that United believe Sesko “wants to move to Old Trafford.”
This comes after news on Monday that Newcastle had submitted a bid of €75million plus €5million in add-ons which was reportedly “deemed insufficient by Leipzig, leading Newcastle to increase it to at least €80m.”
How does this have anything to do with Liverpool and Isak?
Well, Newcastle will not sell Isak to Liverpool until they have a replacement capable of filling the Swede’s admittedly big shoes at St. James’ Park.
Should Man United beat Newcastle to Sesko, it could seriously damage Liverpool’s chances of signing Isak as there aren’t any top forwards, that are available, left.
When the summer began, Ekitike, Sesko and Gyokeres were the top three available centre forwards on the market but Liverpool signed Ekitike and Arsenal snapped up Gyokeres.
There are, of course, other elite No.9s in Europe but their respective clubs are not willing to sell.
Hopefully, Newcastle will sign Sesko (not least because it hampers United) but because it should enable Liverpool to proceed with their record bid for Isak.
