Benjamin Sesko to Newcastle United latest as £70m bid rivals Manchester United
Benjamin Sesko latest as Newcastle United rival Manchester United for the Slovenian’s signature.
Newcastle United are pushing to beat Manchester United to the signature of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
With doubts surrounding Alexander Isak’s future amid interest from Premier League champions Liverpool, Eddie Howe’s side have identified Sesko as a suitable high-profile replacement.
Attempts to sign Sesko have been accelerated over the weekend, with the Magpies hoping to close out an agreement in the coming days.
How much have Newcastle United bid for Benjamin Sesko?
According to The Athletic, Newcastle have submitted an improved bid worth at least £70million after an opening offer of £65m plus £4.3m in add-ons was deemed “insufficient” by Leipzig over the weekend.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has provided a breakdown of the bid, reporting that the Magpies have offered a guaranteed £69.5m plus £8.6m in add-ons.
What about Manchester United?
As per sources in Germany, Manchester United have, in the last few hours, matched Newcastle’s bid, meaning the decision now comes down to the player.
The Slovenian international was left out of Leipzig’s squad for their friendly against Atalanta on Saturday as a result of the speculation.
Sporting director Marcel Schafer told Sky Sports Germany: “Due to very concrete interest from several clubs, we decided he wouldn’t play today. “When I say there’s been strong interest and clubs have approached us directly, it’s obvious what that means.
“I want to make it clear that this doesn’t mean he’s already on his way to another club. And it also doesn’t mean that Benji won’t play next week.”
When do Newcastle United want an answer from Benjamin Sesko?
As Leipzig mull over the two offers, Sesko is still deciding on his future. It’s understood the Magpies want a final answer within the next 48 hours, or they will consider moving to other targets.
Why do Newcastle United want Benjamin Sesko?
The 22-year-old has all the attributes to become one of the best strikers in world football, and Eddie Howe believes he takes the player’s game onto a new level.
Howe did that with Alexander Isak, who has 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle. That is despite the Swede scoring just six goals in his final season at Real Sociedad before moving to the Magpies.
Sesko scored a respectable 13 goals in the Bundesliga last campaign but United will work with the former RB Salzburg to increase that tally.
What would Benjamin Sesko signing mean for Alexander Isak?
Should Sesko arrive then Isak will likely have one foot out of the St James’ Park exit door.
By having a replacement, the sale of Isak would then be subject to Liverpool paying what Newcastle deem an acceptable fee, which is understood to be around the £150million mark.
Liverpool saw an opening bid of £110million turned down on Friday and vowed only to return with another offer once the Magpies had signed a replacement.
Isak wants to join the Premier League champions and has been accused of trying to force a move after sitting out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, instead flying to Spain to train individually at former club Real Sociedad last week.
Newcastle say Isak is recovering from a “minor thigh issue”, though head coach Eddie Howe wasn’t aware of Isak’s visit to San Sebastian until he found out through the media.
The Swede has since returned to Tyneside and was back at the club’s training ground on Monday. His teammates don’t return until Wednesday having only landed back in England yesterday morning.