RB Leipzig Is Considering Højlund

RB Leipzig Is Considering Højlund

 

 

 

1. Bold Transfer Talk: Leipzig Eyeing Højlund

 

RB Leipzig are reportedly interested in capturing Rasmus Højlund as a replacement for their star striker Benjamin Šeško, amid Manchester United’s pursuit of the Slovenian forward. According to The Peoples Person, Leipzig have even enquired about Højlund as part of negotiations for Sesko, potentially paving a swap-plus-cash agreement.

 

 

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2. United’s Strategic Problem

 

Manchester United may consider offloading Højlund, whose valuation has reportedly dropped to around £45 million–£48 million, to sweeten a deal for Sesko, who is valued between £60 million–£70 million. Højlund has struggled to justify his initial £72 million price-tag, making him a logical makeweight in any package.

 

 

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3. What Højlund Thinks: He Is Unwilling

 

Despite Leipzig’s reported interest, Højlund has publicly made it clear he has no desire to join the Bundesliga side. According to Sports Mole, he’s intent on staying at Manchester United and fighting for his place—even if the club follows through on swap interest.

 

His stance complicates any negotiations and suggests Leipzig may explore other options like Nick Woltemade, Eintracht Frankfurt’s forward, or other European targets.

 

 

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4. Why Leipzig Could Target Højlund

 

Replacement for Sesko: Leipzig need to proactively replace Sesko if he departs. Højlund’s skill set—a tall, mobile striker with technical ability—makes him an appealing candidate.

 

Danish connection to Bundesliga: With twin brothers Emil and Oscar playing in Germany, a return to the Bundesliga environment may fit personally, though Højlund himself remains opposed.

 

 

He has pulled special interest from clubs across Europe—including Bayer Leverkusen (run by former manager Erik ten Hag), Inter, Napoli and Juventus—though none has yet progressed to formal negotiations.

 

 

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5. How Højlund Has Fared

 

Arriving for a massive fee from Atalanta in summer 2023, Højlund scored 16 goals in 43 appearances in his debut campaign, earning Premier League Player of the Month in February 2025 as the first Dane to do so.

 

However, his form dipped in 2024‑25: just four league goals in 32 matches and visible frustration on and off the pitch. Reddit fans described him as out of service and mark how confidence—or lack thereof—has hindered him.

 

His combined output: 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances, showing a struggle to fulfil his early potential.

 

 

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6. Swap Deal Mechanics: How it Could Work

 

Manchester United may offer either:

 

1. Straight swap: Højlund plus cash in exchange for Sesko, softening Leipzig’s financial burden.

 

 

2. Variable package: Mixed players (e.g. Højlund, Antony, Garnacho) plus cash to balance the books and conform with FFP rules.

 

 

 

However, Højlund’s refusal undermines this strategy. United may need alternative tactics: higher cash bid, or pivot to alternate striker targets like Ollie Watkins.

 

 

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7. Evaluation: Risks & Rewards for United

 

Factor Reward Risk

 

Swap deal Offsets cost of Sesko Højlund refusal blocks leverage

Sell Højlund Recoup portion of transfer fee Loss of homegrown asset if failed

Keep Højlund Offers squad depth and future upside Stagnation or continued underperformance

 

 

United’s strategy hinges on whether they can use Højlund effectively, whether Leipzig accept him, and whether other paths (Watkins, Woltemade) emerge.

 

 

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8. Leipzig’s Alternatives: If Højlund Falls Through

 

RB Leipzig may explore:

 

Other Bundesliga or international forwards (e.g. Woltemade, Wissa)

 

Internal promotion or market moves away from swap configurations

 

Selling Sesko first and reinvesting proceeds in multiple targets

 

 

Given Leipzig’s valuation demands for Sesko and need for replacement, they are exploring multiple angles—but Højlund remains one of the more logical single-player options on paper.

 

 

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9. Current Transfer Landscape: What to Watch

 

Sesko’s decision: Newcastle’s firm £70m-plus bid is leading the race, putting pressure on United to escalate or pivot.

 

Club statements: Leipzig’s official stance on swap offers will be telling; public comments from United on offloading Højlund might shift market perception.

 

Player interviews: Any sign of Højlund softening his resistance or exploring other clubs (Italy/Germany) could open negotiation channels.

 

Alternative moves: United may shift to pursue Ollie Watkins, Fermin López, or Nick Woltemade depending on Sesko deal progress.

 

 

 

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10. Conclusion: A Complex Chess Game

 

RB Leipzig’s interest in Rasmus Højlund as a potential Benjamin Sesko replacement adds a new twist to a complex transfer saga. United may view Højlund as a makeweight to balance their books and clinch Sesko. But Højlund’s resistance to move shades that plan.

 

If Leipzig pivot away from Højlund, United must find new routes—either a more cash-heavy offer or an alternate deal structure. Leipzig, on the other hand, may ultimately walk away or negotiate other replacements if resistance continues.

 

This saga encapsulates modern football’s fluid nature: contracts, valuations, player will, and transfer strategy converging. Whether Højlund ends up in Germany, stays to fight it out at Old Trafford, or becomes Santander’s fallback, his fate is intertwined with one of United’s most critical windows in recent memory.