Newcastle eye Benjamin Sesko as Alexander Isak’s exit nears

Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Newcastle United are exploring a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko following Alexander Isak’s request to leave the club, sources have confirmed to The Athletic. That said, a transfer is expected only in case Isak ends up leaving Tyneside throughout the summer transfer window.

Sesko, 22, has long been on Newcastle’s radar, but with Isak pushing to depart, interest has intensified in the middle of the transfer window. The Slovenia international signed a contract extension with RBL in 2024 for

the club to protect his value, and he is expected to leave this summer for around €70–75 million, although different developments have put a bit of a question mark over that potential move.

Newcastle first tried to sign Sesko in 2022, but saw other clubs better placed at the time. Arsenal and Manchester United monitored him closely in past windows but turned elsewhere this summer due to his inconsistent 2024–25 season, thus the uncertainty around Sesko’s short-term future out of Leipzig.

Sesko is coming off scoring 13 Bundesliga goals last term, a slight drop from the year before, despite logging more minutes than the prior season.

A source at Leipzig said the chances of Sesko staying have increased recently, although they remain “slender.” Leipzig’s poor season and the possible exits of Xavi Simons and Lois Openda could influence their stance. The club is open to keeping Sesko under new coach Ole Werner to stabilize a young squad, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Sesko, who played all four of Slovenia’s Euro 2024 matches without scoring, has resumed preseason with Leipzig and is reportedly training well. He still hopes for a move, preferably to the Premier League, but he is not expected to force one—contrary to Isak.

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