Ollie Watkins: striker makes promising move towards Man United
Following Newcastle's improved £78 million offer, it has now emerged that United have submitted a bid of their own.
According to Fabrizio Romano, INEOS' offer for the striker stands at £73.8 million, add-ons included.
Sesko is yet to choose his preferred destination, but the transfer guru suggests United believe he is keen on the move.
Who Sesko will choose is what everyone is waiting to see.
While there is hope of a move to Old Trafford, his transfer to United remains anything but certain.
United would be wise to have a reliable Plan B lined up to nurse a heartbreak should they miss out on the Bundesliga forward.
If not Sesko, the feeling is that United will turn to Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Keen on Premier League-proven players, Watkins was packaged as head coach Ruben Amorim's preferred striker target, after missing out on his top choices.
The 29-year-old's Premier League experience and proven record in front of goal could yet be just what United crave. But there were obstacles in the chase.
Villa were reportedly reluctant to sell, and the figures involved (considering his age) were not encouraging.
Those issues saw United shift focus to Sesko, but if they fail to land the 22-year-old, Watkins may still be the fallback.
Encouragingly, obstacles appear to be gradually clearing in United's pursuit of Watkins.
Watkins and what he thinks of his future at Villa Park
The Sun have dropped a report where they claim the Englishman, keen to quit Villa Park and take the next step in his career, 'is ready to step into the void if Man Utd are unable to lure Benjamin Sesko to the club.'
The UK outlet goes on to state that 'his wishes may overlap with Aston Villa's, who also face a battle to keep their summer spending within PSR limits.'
Villa were not initially keen to sell him, as the report reiterates:
'Unai Emery had been keen to sell the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey to meet the Premier League's requirements, but have yet to receive the interest they had hoped for.'
Now, they may be forced to sell, with £40–£50 million reportedly being enough.
That is the kind of update Man United would have loved to hear from Villa Park (but Sesko remains the priority)
The mere hint that Villa may soften their 'not for sale' stance over Watkins is a boost for United.
It should be some comfort that, if generational talent Sesko slips through their fingers, like Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres did, there is at least one decent option out there, keen to tell them, 'Sign me.'
Either way, all eyes and all focus should be on Sesko. He may yet decide Ollie Watkins' fate.
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