It’s looking like Newcastle United are focusing on signing Benjamin Sesko for some much-needed attacking firepower up top, with Alexander Isak’s uncertain future a growing concern.
The 22-year-old has quickly become one of Europe’s most in-demand players, and he’s expected to leave RB Leipzig in pursuit of Champions League football this summer.
We’ve already made initial contact regarding a potential move to Tyneside, where he’s likely to inherit the main striker role pending Alexander Isak’s departure for Liverpool.
However, as has been the case all summer, another Big Six club is lurking in the shadows, and could once more swoop in and snatch up our target…
Sky reveal latest in Sesko race
It looks like it’ll be a closely-contested two horse race between ourselves and Man Utd as to who will sign Benjamin Sesko this summer.
According to Sky Sports’ chief reporter in Germany, Florian Plettenberg, the Red Devils have presented their ‘project’ to the player and his camp, as Newcastle have done, with Man Utd “not giving up” in the race to sign the striker.
Plettenberg claims that Sesko is “impressed” by Man Utd’s intent to sign him. It has previously been mentioned that Sesko and RB Leipzig had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for the Slovenian to leave for around £65m should the right project emerge for him.
But Newcastle still look to be in the lead for his signature and are ready to submit a bid “at any time”, with a formal move anticipated if Sesko indicates a willingness to sign.
RB Leipzig are demanding €80m (£69m), meaning Toon chiefs would have to offer a similar fee put forward for Hugo Ekitike if we wish to land the 6ft 5′ striker.
So, who will he chose? Will it be another blow to a ‘big six’ rival or finally a statement of intent to combat Isak’s likely exit?
Hopes and fears for Newcastle
Our talent ID the last few seasons, particularly for players on the continent, has been nothing short of stellar.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and of course Isak have each become world-beaters under Eddie Howe. And Sesko has all the tools to become the very next big star made on Tyneside.
Fabrizio Romano previously reported that we are ready to make him the face of the next phase of the project: and with a potentially vacant no.9 spot at a team in the Champions League, we may be simply too good a prospect for the 22-year-old to turn down.
But if this window has taught us anything, it’s not to get our hopes up when one of the ‘Big Six’ decides to get involved. To Manchester United alone we’ve lost out on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha!
A club like Manchester United and their seemingly endless ability to splash out on high wages and exorbitant fees is something ‘the other 14’ teams in the league simply can’t compete against.
So if we want to have our man, we best hope that our quick approach and passionate sell of the project to Sesko has been enough to convince him and his team that we are the right destination.
If Sesko has any sense he will look at the botched development job ManU have done on other highly rated European prospects in Hojlund and Zirkzee and give them a wide berth. Unfortunately though players always believe they are the best and he’ll undoubtedly be offered higher wages there so it’ll come down possibly to the pull of CL if we are to win him over
Keith(Quote)
He’s off to Man Ure, they’ll offer more money and they have the international reputation to attract payers from the continent. I imagine they’ve heavily sold their project to him and he’ll be chomping at the bit. I hear their new training facilities are very fancy.
We, meanwhile, will offer a good but not huge salary, in the context of a quality European striker. We’re not a big name in Europe and we’re not yet seen as a club challenging to win things. Our owners don’t seem to be investing in our infrastructure (training ground, stadium etc.) and we’re about to sell our best player.
The only thing we have over Man Ure in the eyes of a player like Sesko is European football, and he wasn’t going to be getting that at Leipzig anyway, so maybe it’s something he’s alright with for one season. I hate to say it, but I think we’re out of the race if Man Ure are in.
I really hope I’m completely wrong about this one. If I’m not, can we restart this transfer window and try again?
Ian(Quote)
Put the bid in already and put the pressure on Man U. It seems we talk about a deal for weeks and leave time for every other club to swoop in
Ben(Quote)
It would be typical man u to buy 3 new forwards and leave their useless goalie, defence and midfield as is. While selling / loaning their bomb squad for a fraction of what they cost (Antony/sancho) \ are worth (Rashford \Garnacho). Total clown show. But this is the cartel in 2025, they are protected and can carry on spending whereas we – a team who have a great track record in signings – can’t spend or compete. I fully expect them to sign Sesko and have from the start….would love to be wrong. Could one player, just one, at recently turned 22 see the big picture re development and being with the right coach \ club and not just ££££??? Yeah…probably not!
East stand(Quote)
Your completely wrong .. the owners have invested 100’s of millions in players , training centre, women’s team and on plans for the new stadium and training centre .. we are a club moving forward .. look back 3 years ago at the squad and owners .. only last season we won a cup and qualified twice for champions league …, like villa and forest we are in a phase of catch up and destroying the cartel and establishing ourselves .. Liverpool just lost Trent Arnold it happens to every club that they lose good players to others higher up the football food chain .., chill out
Mike(Quote)
Mike :-
You’re in cloud cuckoo land unfortunately.
Our progress has been well and truly stifled!
Man Utd have not qualified for the Champions League for the last two seasons and still remain a more attractive proposition to players due to what they can offer them in terms of remuneration.
These big six clubs have squads where they can afford to offload players for sums we can only dream about to fund their ambitions.
They also don’t dither around losing potential deals and back their manager by fair or foul means.
Joseph(Quote)
Any player who does not see the potential for his future success at Newcastle is obviously mentally challenged, and not the sort of person to enhance our team anyway.
We only want players who would walk on red hot coals to come here, otherwise forget it.
Den Hayton(Quote)