Category Sports News

Sheffield United’s championship rivals Wrexham have signed Wales striker Kieffer Moore for a three-year contract.

Although the 32-year-old’s fee has not been disclosed, reports suggest a £2 million deal is being made.

“I’m thrilled to join the club, and I’m excited to begin,” Moore said.

“I want to be that skilled leader who contributes a lot to the team.” One of my strongest qualities is my work ethic, and I want to contribute to the advancement of the team.

As Wrexham prepares for their eighth summer season since 1982, Moore is their eighth signing.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney own Wrexham, where they are in talks to acquire Wales international Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town for a club record fee estimated to be around £7.5 million.

Wrexham signed goalkeeper Danny Ward, forward Ryan Hardie, defender Liberato Cacace, midfielders George Thomason and Lewis O’Brien, and forward Josh Windass in the summer.

Moore, who was born in Torquay, began his professional soccer career with the youth division of his hometown club before joining Paignton Saints, Truro City, and Dorchester Town.

He made more than 50 appearances for Championship side Yeovil Town in 2013 before being released in his second year.

Before making a brief comeback to the Conference with Forest Green Rovers, Moore spent a short time with Viking, a Norwegian side.

Moore scored 13 goals in 22 loan appearances for Rotherham United before moving on to League One Barnsley and Wigan Athletic in the Championship, earning another chance in the English Football League (EFL) from Championship side Ipswich in 2017.

The then-28-year-old forward signed a three-year deal with Cardiff City in 2020, signing a transfer deal that is thought to be worth around £2 million, scoring 25 goals in 65 games for the Welsh club before making a £5 million move to Bournemouth in January 2022.

Moore scored the goal that helped the Cherries advance to the top flight, but he was sidelined because of an injury at the Vitality Stadium. He also scored five times in the Premier League before making a loan move to Portman Road and helping Ipswich advance to the top flight.

The 6’5″ striker made five goals for the Blades last season before signing a three-year deal with Sheffield United in July 2024.

Moore, a C- international from England and whose grandfather is from Llanrug, near Bangor, made his Wales debut against Belarus in 2019.

His most recent appearance came in June’s victory over Liechtenstein, where Craig Bellamy’s side won 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wrexham begin their first second-tier campaign in 44 years at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, August 9 at 12:30 BST, after three straight promotions from the National League to the Championship under their Hollywood takeover.

The total price for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who has been offered by Manchester United, could reach 85 million euros (£73,8 million).

A 75 million euro (£65.25 million) guarantee is included in the offer.

The Slovenian international, 22, is keen to move to Old Trafford, but they are yet to receive a response despite receiving a response.

In addition to their ongoing negotiations with Leipzig, Newcastle United have made an offer in the region of 80 million euros (£69.5 million).

Manchester United’s offer is seen as significant because it was suggested they did not want to strengthen their relationship with Leipzig without knowing the forward would be a part of them.

Sesko would add significant physical presence to the Old Trafford side with his 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig.

Even though Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed earlier this year that the club had the potential to go bankrupt by Christmas without significant cost-cutting measures, Manchester United sources have previously outlined how it is possible for them to come to an agreement on Sesko.

The payment terms for the total £130 million deals between Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford this summer have been favorable.

Marcus Rashford’s entire £325, 000-per-week salary is being covered by his Barcelona loan, and Manchester United received £5 million from Chelsea after the Blues cut a deal for Jadon Sancho.

With 39 goals in 87 games, Sesko is currently the top scorer under the age of 23 among players in Europe’s top five leagues. He moved to Germany.

Florian Wirtz, who left Bayer Leverkusen for £100m this summer, is one step ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and is five clear of him.

Sesko is big, strong, quick, agile, and a strong finisher, and not just because they both played for Salzburg.

He scored more goals last season than he did last year, with only 9.7% of his touches coming from the opposition box, compared to 17% the previous year.

He expanded his involvement in midfield and on both wings.

He had the best aerial success rate of all strikers in at least 60 of them and was one of the Bundesliga’s fastest at 35.7 km/h.

Even though Sesko ranks 16th in the Bundesliga in the expected goals, 14th in the shots, and 22nd in the touches in the opposition box, only six forwards have scored more goals in the past two seasons.

And he can kill himself at long range, making 36.6 percent of his shots from outside the box and 23.1% of his goals from there. In the previous season, both players had goals totaling 12 or more than any other Bundesliga striker.

A recruitment specialist at the highest level recently said, “I don’t think the Premier League’s physicality will overawe him.

Although he is one of the top three in the world when it comes to stepping up to the top, he has the physical stamina to do so.

Manchester United have made a bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko with the overall package potentially rising to 85m euros (£73.8m).

The offer includes a guaranteed payment of 75m euros (£65.2m).

United are yet to get a response but believe it is an appropriate valuation for the 22-year-old Slovenia international and that the player is keen to complete a move to Old Trafford.

Newcastle also want Sesko and have a made bid for the striker, which has not been accepted.

The offer is seen as significant as there had been suggestions Manchester United did not want to firm up their interest with Leipzig without knowing Sesko was prepared to join them.

Sesko has 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig and, at 6ft 5in, he would also bring a significant physical presence to the Old Trafford club’s front line.

United sources have previously outlined how it is possible for them to reach an agreement on Sesko even though Sir Jim Ratcliffe said earlier this year there was the potential for United to go bust by Christmas without massive cost-cutting measures.

Payment arrangements for the deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford this summer, which total £130m, have been arranged in a favourable way.

In addition, the entirety of Marcus Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary is being covered by his loan move to Barcelona and Manchester United received £5m from Chelsea after the Blues pulled out of a deal to sign Jadon Sancho.

Sheffield Wednesday’s players will fulfil their opening game of the Championship season against Leicester City on Sunday, BBC Sport understands.

The Owls have had a tumultuous off-season as players and staff have had wages delayed during May, June and July, registration embargoes have been issued, the North Stand at Hillsborough has been closed because of concerns over its structural integrity and boss Danny Rohl has left the club.

In the lead-up to taking on Leicester, the EFL has expressed doubts over whether the club can fulfil its fixtures, while a behind-closed-doors training match with Burnley was cancelled after the players refused to play.

On Tuesday morning, when asked whether the players could go on strike and refuse to play against the Foxes, club captain Barry Bannan told Talksport: “No, I don’t think so.

“We pulled out of the Burnley game at the weekend, that was simply because it’s happened too much now and I think it’s a lot easier to pull put of a pre-season friendly game than it is a Championship fixture.

“We’ve come into training and just got on with it and made it look to the outside world like we’re fine with it, so that was our choice then to say ‘enough’s enough’ really.”

Bannan last week signed a new contract with the club despite their ongoing financial struggles.

The 35-year-old, who has made 447 appearances for the Owls in 10 seasons, said he had turned down “interest from elsewhere” to continue his stay at Hillsborough.

Wednesday, who have also missed payments to HMRC and face rising debts, have just 15 first-team squad members.

According to BBC Sport, Sheffield Wednesday’s players will play Leicester City on Sunday in their first game of the Championship campaign.

The Owls’ off-season has been turbulent because players and staff members were paid off in May, June, and July, registration restrictions were in place, Hillsborough’s North Stand was closed due to concerns over its structural integrity, and manager Danny Rohl left the club.

The EFL was concerned about the club’s ability to play its opening game, so the BBC learned that a behind-closed-doors training match with Burnley was postponed after the players refused to play.

When asked on Tuesday morning if the players could go on strike and refuse to play for the Foxes, club captain Barry Bannan responded, “No, I don’t think so.”

We left the Burnley game at the weekend because it has already happened too frequently, and I believe it is much simpler to do so in a pre-season friendly game than a championship game.

We’ve just entered training, and we’ve made it appear to us to be okay with it, so we made the decision to say “enough is enough” really.

The 35-year-old, who has made 447 starts for the Owls in ten seasons, claimed he had turned down “interest from elsewhere” to stay at Hillsborough.

Only 15 first-team players are in the Wednesday squad, who have also made HMRC payments and are facing mounting debts.

Between 2015, when Dejphon Chansiri bought the club, and 2024, Sheffield Wednesday lost £ 178 million.

When he first arrived, Chansiri was eager to speculate about player purchases and higher salaries.

Remember that in the beginning, Wednesday was competing for Premier League promotion twice.

However, it seems as though Chansiri’s ability to finance the club has declined recently, particularly over the past few years.

Due to this, there has been no maintenance on the stadium and no wages have been paid by creditors.

One of the Hillsborough stands is determined to be ineffective and will be empty when Wednesday play their first games as a result.

When a dream doesn’t materialize, people often pursue it and wonder what to do when it doesn’t.

And it’s a problem that exists in English football’s second-tier because average losses cost £400,000 each week.

There will be consequences that will leave clubs’ futures looking quite precarious if an owner’s circumstances change, as appears to be the case with Chansiri, or if their attitude toward football changes and they no longer want to subvention clubs, as we have seen elsewhere.

With the start of the season fast approaching, the Benjamin Sesko transfer saga needs to reach a conclusion one way or the other fairly soon – and it remains unclear which way it will end.

Manchester United and Newcastle United have both made big-money bids for the Leipzig striker – and are waiting for an answer.

German newspaper Bild claims Sesko has told both clubs they are his first choice – but BBC Sport has been told he is keen on a move to the Red Devils.

But there are pros and cons for each team – namely whether either of the Premier League sides are actually in a position to sign him.

And where would he be more likely to get game time?

One thing seems sure – big, strong, quick and a clinical finisher – the Slovenian could be a difference-maker wherever he ends up.

Have they actually made a bid? Can they?

Manchester United made their first formal offer for Sesko on Tuesday.

BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone reports it is an initial fee of £65.2m, rising to £73.8m.

They had been thought to want to be sure Sesko wanted to join them before making their move.

Old Trafford sources say they do not have to sell players before making more signings – but do accept finance will have to be generated by several players unwanted by Ruben Amorim.

Why would Sesko want to join them?

Sesko would be a likely starter at one of the world’s biggest clubs if he joined Manchester United.

Rasmus Hojlund, also aged 22, has only scored 14 Premier League goals in two seasons since his £64m move from Atalanta.

By contrast Sesko has scored 27 Bundesliga goals in that time, having joined Leipzig from Salzburg in the same summer.

“Although many external United observers feel any spare income would be better spent on a physical, energetic central midfielder, Ruben Amorim spent most of last season moaning about his side’s inability to score often enough,” said Stone.

“Clearly he feels an upgrade is required on Rasmus Hojlund at the top of the pitch. To that end, United are willing to listen to offers for Hojlund, which may end up being part of their negotiations with RB Leipzig.”

And he could be part of an all-new front line with Matheus Cunha, a summer signing from Wolves, and ex-Brentford man Mbeumo joining for about £130m in total this summer.

He could get plenty of service from the three players nearest him if he was the focal point up top.

Bruno Fernandes created more chances than any other Premier League player last season – 91 – with his team-mates scoring 10 of them.

Mbeumo was fifth on the list, creating 70 chances for Brentford team-mates, and Cunha was 15th, with 57 opportunities laid on for Wolves players.

Why might Sesko not want to join them?

There are some fairly obvious reasons why Sesko might decide Old Trafford would not be the best destination to keep his career on this upward trajectory.

For one, they are not in any European competition this season. Sesko has played in the Champions League in three of the past four seasons, and the Europa League in the other.

And he would be joining a team who finished 15th last season, their worst campaign since they were relegated in 1973-74.

Boss Amorim has been given the opportunity to rebuild this summer, having only taken over midway through last season – but a bad start could see a managerial change too.

Have they actually made a bid? Can they?

Newcastle have made an offer of about £70m to sign Sesko and are still in discussions with Leipzig.

They want him even if star striker Alexander Isak stays at the club – having previously tried to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt to play with the Swede.

Ekitike instead joined Liverpool, who incidentally want Isak and have had a £110m rejected by the Magpies.

Why would Sesko want to join them?

For one Sesko would be back in the Champions League if he were to join Newcastle, with the Magpies finishing fifth last season.

He would be joining a seemingly upwardly mobile club – having ended their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.

Sesko has spent most of his time at Leipzig playing in a front two with Lois Openda – who was the second quickest player in the Bundesliga last season.

So he would relish the opportunity to build a strike partnership with Isak – if he stays with the Magpies.

And he could get plenty of chances too, with the second and third top assisters in the Premier League last season supplying him from the wings.

Jacob Murphy had 12 assists with Anthony Elanga providing 11 for Nottingham Forest before his £55m move to Tyneside.

Why might Sesko not want to join them?

Whether Isak stays or goes could be seen as win-win or lose-lose for Sesko.

If he goes, Sesko would be pretty much guaranteed the chance to start every game. But he may worry about the ambition of the club if they have just lost a key player.

Likewise, if Isak stays, there is the danger he struggles for game time if Eddie Howe decides against a front two, or it is not successful, with Isak unlikely to be shoved out to the wing to make room for Sesko.

Also if playing in the Champions League is a priority, he joins a team who have never been in the tournament proper in consecutive seasons – and never reached the knockout stages.

Could Leipzig still keep him?

Leipzig do not need to sell Sesko – hence the high fee they are asking for, plus the reported desire for add-ons.

They are having a summer rebuild, however, under new 37-year-old head coach Ole Werner.

Six signings have come in so far for a combined £80m – but they are yet to make a major sale to free up funds.

However, Chelsea are trying to sign Leipzig’s attacking midfielder Xavi Simons in what would be a big-money move.

Why would Sesko want to stay?

Sesko might not be opposed to a third season at Leipzig, where he could play every game and try to improve on last season – where he scored one Bundesliga goal fewer than he did the previous campaign (13 v 14).

But the major upside to staying might be waiting another season to see whether any established Champions League clubs could sign him.

His fee means not many sides can afford him right now.

But Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is 32 and Barcelona frontman Robert Lewandowski is 36. So next season they might start looking to the future.

Sesko has been linked to both sides before.

Real Madrid’s central striking options depend on less experienced options and Kylian Mbappe – so they may revisit things too.

And he has also been linked to Arsenal – before they signed Viktor Gyokeres – and Chelsea this summer.

So could Sesko take a ‘wait and see what is on the table next summer’ approach?

Why might Sesko not want to stay?

Of course Sesko may well feel his apprenticeship at Leipzig – and Red Bull clubs in general, having started at Salzburg – has been served.

They are not in any European competition this season.

He has consistently been linked to Premier League clubs in each transfer window for the past few years, despite only being 22, so the time might have come to take the plunge.

On top of that if Leipzig have a new-look team and manager, this might be the time to go.