RB Leipzig have rejected Newcastle United’s €80million offer for striker Benjamin Sesko, dealing a significant blow to the club’s striker succession plans amid continued uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak and his more-than-likely sale to Liverpool.
Newcastle tabled their first formal bid for the Slovenia international on Saturday, offering €75m up front with an additional €5m in add-ons, according to The Athletic.
The 22-year-old Slovenian has yet to choose his preferred destination, with Manchester
United also in talks, in what seems to be the only thing pending in his expected summer move.
Leipzig are open to a sale after nearly agreeing to one a year ago, but will only let Sesko go if their valuation is met and if Sesko himself tells the club about his preferred destination, whether that’s NUFC or Man Utd.
The German side is not actively seeking to offload the striker, whose contract runs to 2029, but won’t oppose a sale for the right amount.
Newcastle identified Sesko as their top replacement for Isak, whose future at St James’ Park remains unresolved. Liverpool had a £110million bid for the Sweden international rejected a few hours ago, but the Magpies expect Liverpool to return with a higher offer if Newcastle signs a new striker, if only because NUFC would then need to balance their PSR numbers.
With Sesko yet to commit and talks for Yoane Wissa seemingly still open and ongoing, Newcastle’s striker plans remain in flux with no clear solution—both on the outgoing and incoming fronts—in sight.
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