Newcastle United have submitted a club-record bid worth up to €80million for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, as the future of star striker Alexander Isak remains in flux.
The Athletic and the Daily Mail both report that Newcastle’s proposal includes €75m up front and €5m in potential add-ons.
The bid marks a significant step forward in the club’s pursuit of a new striker and the 22-year-old Slovenia international in particular, who has also been targeted by Manchester United.
Sesko has yet to decide
on his preferred destination, but there are reports pointing toward his preference to land in Tyneside. Sources in Slovenia have suggested that the striker favors a move to Newcastle, despite competition from the Old Trafford fallen giants.
The timing of the offer is also crucial, given Isak is currently training alone at his former club, Real Sociedad, and was absent from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia, putting him on the outside looking in of Newcastle’s plan for next season.
Liverpool, however, had a £110m bid for the 25-year-old turned down, with Newcastle holding firm on a £150m valuation.
Manager Eddie Howe said he first learned of Isak’s whereabouts through the media and acknowledged the situation had grown “complex.”
Newcastle view Sesko as a direct successor to Isak, not someone to use while keeping the Sweden international in tow, having tracked the Leipzig striker for several months.
Sesko scored 21 goals last season and has netted 16 times in 41 games for Slovenia. He joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and signed a long-term deal through 2029. His previous contract included a €65m release clause, though that is no longer active, forcing NUFC to ramp up their efforts and submit a larger figure to snatch the striker from the Germans’ paws.
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