Newcastle United can sign £60m Alexander Isak replacement amid gentleman's agreement
Newcastle United are looking at alternatives to Alexander Isak in case the Swede leaves this summer.
Newcastle United are considering a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko with Alexander Isak keen on leaving this summer.
Isak has told Newcastle he wants to explore a move elsewhere, three years after joining for a club-record £63million from Real Sociedad.
The Sweden international wasn’t part of the 30-man squad that travelled to Singapore this morning for the first leg of the club’s Asia tour. The club say Isak has a “minor thigh issue” but the speculation surrounding his future has people drawing their own conclusions.
Newcastle United’s stance on Alexander Isak
The Magpies have always maintained that Isak is not for sale, but that stance is now set to be tested. Liverpool, who made an informal approach last week, retain an interest, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have also been linked, although NewcastleWorld understands that is a non-starter.
It’s understood Liverpool are willing to pay a British record £120million for Isak, though Newcastle value the player closer to £150m.
United now find themselves in a difficult position as they face losing their talisman, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances, or keep a player who could potentially be unhappy.
A report from The Times claims Newcastle have held contract negotiations with Isak and his representatives but there has been zero progress with the player seeking £300,000-a-week.
Newcastle are willing to make Isak the best-paid player in their history but due to Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are restricted to what they can offer. No player at NUFC is understood to be on a salary of more than £200,000-a-week.
Newcastle United consider Benjamin Sesko move
In the event that Isak leaves, Newcastle will consider a move for Slovenian striker Sesko, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist claims Sesko has a “gentleman’s agreement” with Leipzig to leave for a fixed fee between £60m to £69m, plus £4m or £8m in add-ons.
“My understanding is that Benjamin Sesko has the possibility, thanks to a gentleman’s agreement with RB Leipzig, to drop his price tag this summer for a club considered by the player as a special club,” Romano told watches on his YouTube channel.
“Sesko could cost a transfer fee around 70-80 million euros fixed fee plus 5-10 million euros in add-ons. This is the range of the potential pricing.
“And this only can be activated thanks to a gentleman’s agreement if Sesko goes to Leipzig and says, ‘okay, this club wants me, I like that, I want to go’. In that case, the price can be slightly reduced to 70-80 million euros, this is the range fixed, 5-10 million euros in add-ons,
“So let's see what happens with Sesko because if Alexander Isak leaves, it can be an option for Newcastle. He's a player really appreciated by Newcastle, the recruitment team already wanted him a long time ago, and he could be an option.
“Newcastle are now working on finding an eventual replacement for Alexander Isak, so Sesko could be one of the options.”
The 22-year-old had previously been linked with Arsenal before they signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Sesko joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances.