The breakdown of the transfer arrangement, estimated at about €80m (£69m), represents a major setback to United’s hopes of strengthening their attack, particularly after a disappointing Premier League season that yielded just 44 goals.
“Sesko,” who managed “13 Bundesliga goals in 2024/25” in spite of Leipzig’s challenges, had emerged as United’s preferred striker option. The club’s recruitment figure, “Christopher Vivell,” attempted to capitalize on his earlier ties to “Salzburg and Leipzig” to drive the transfer forward. United engaged in early discussions with both Leipzig and “Sesko’s representatives,” relying on his impressive physical traits—”6ft 4in” in height and a top speed of “35.69 km/h”—and his potential to emulate “Erling Haaland’s impact.” But it was “Newcastle’s offer of Champions League football” and a strong project led by “Eddie Howe” that convinced “Sesko,” who had a “gentleman’s agreement” with Leipzig permitting a departure for “€80m-€90m.” “Newcastle’s urgency” was largely motivated by “Alexander Isak’s desire to leave,” with the club prepared to finance the deal through a potential “£150m sale” of their top striker.
“Amorim’s squad” is now critically short in attacking options. “Rasmus Højlund,” who netted “four league goals last season,” has shown encouraging signs in pre-season—especially in the “4-1 win over Bournemouth”—but inconsistency remains an issue. “Joshua Zirkzee” has not yet settled in, and with “Marcus Rashford on loan at Barcelona,” and “Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony” all potentially departing, the team lacks forward depth.
New arrivals “Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha” bring speed but don’t naturally fill the No. 9 role, meaning “Amorim” may have to depend on players lacking experience or form. His “3-4-3 system,” which needs a central striker capable of holding play and linking up with wingers, might have to shift—possibly reverting to “4-4-2” to better utilize “Højlund’s link-up play.”
This transfer episode sheds light on “United’s financial constraints,” with the failed “Sesko deal” linked to the club’s difficulty in moving on high-salary players to balance finances. Other options, including “Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins” and “Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson,” were considered too expensive, and Leipzig’s insistence on their valuation of “Sesko” offered little flexibility.
“Amorim,” who aimed to replicate his success with “Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting Lisbon,” now faces increased expectations with limited squad depth. Meanwhile, “Newcastle’s coup” strengthens their forward line and reflects their ambition to compete at the highest level, leaving United in a difficult position as they attempt to rescue their transfer plans before the “August 2025 deadline.”