Liverpool fans won't like watching Man United swoop in for Benjamin Šeško. It might just drive up Alexander Isak's valuation higher.
For the last week or so, it seemed like an easy plan for Liverpool: Sell some more players, sign Alexander Isak, and allow Newcastle to replace him with Benjamin Šeško.
Despite Newcastle being the biggest losers in that plan, it was at least less painstaking than seeing their best player leave without a promising replacement.
Unfortunately, Man United just threw a spanner in the works, and it might make life all the more difficult for Liverpool in the transfer race.
Benjamin Šeško wants Man United, which is bad news for Liverpool
According to a report from Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjørtoft, Benjamin Šeško would love to join Man United, despite the obvious pull factors in favor of Newcastle. Sure, he'll get Champions League football and a guaranteed starting spot at Newcastle, but he wants Man United.
The journalist likened his situation to Chris Martin's in Coldplay's song "Fix You," namely the lyrics "when you get what you want (Newcastle) but not what you need (Man United)"
Re: Šeško
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) July 30, 2025
He gets what he wants at Newcastle, but he wants Manchester United
Or as Coldplay says it:
You get what you want, but not what you need https://t.co/BmNydcQYRd
Well, lights may be guiding Benjamin Seko to his new Manchester home, but what does this mean for Liverpool now?
It doesn't make life any easier for the Reds, that's for certain. Isak's desire to leave Newcastle still helps Liverpool, but Newcastle's lack of a preferred back-up option means they could be more difficult to bargain with.
So, in short, Man United hijacking Newcastle's move for Šeško might drive up Newcastle's asking price for Alexander Isak.
That said, Liverpool doesn't seem to be in a position where they need to barter. Instead, the Luis Díaz sale has put the Reds in a much better financial position, one where they don't need to stress.
So, the Isak deal isn't off. In fact, it's far from it. However, Liverpool will be wary of Man United signing Benjamin Šeško from under the nose of the team they're trying to cooperate with.
It goes without saying, but Liverpool won't be fearful of Man United from a competitive standpoint next season. They could sign the best player in the world, Mohamed Salah, but still finish in the bottom half of the table. That's the worrying position that those down the road are facing.