Newcastle United 'learn asking price' for in-demand 68-goal striker also on Arsenal & Chelsea's transfer radar

Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea have been told what they must do to land one of their targets at the end of the season.

The Premier League trio were all said to be keen on a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko prior to the Slovenian international’s move from RB Salzburg last summer after watching him plunder his way to 29 goals in 79 appearances for the Austrian Bundesliga club.

Speaking after that move was agreed, Sesko said: “I’m very happy I can take the step to RB Leipzig in 2023 and that the transfer has already been agreed.  RB Leipzig are among the top clubs in Germany and are gradually establishing themselves as one of the best teams in Europe. There will be a special success story written here in a few years, and I would like to help shape that in the future.”

After the high-profile nature of his move to Leipzig and reports of ongoing interest from elsewhere, Sesko has struggled to meet the lofty expectations that met his arrival and head into the second half of the season looking to improve on a record of seven goals in 24 appearances in all competitions. Of those 24 appearances, only eight have come as part of Marco Rose’s starting eleven and that has led to some suggestions Sesko could be allowed the leave Leipzig during the summer transfer window and the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea were all suggested as possible destinations.

Italian outlet CalcioMercato have claimed Serie A giants AC Milan are preparing for their ‘next big investment’ at the top end of the pitch as they look to provide further competition for the likes of Olivier Giroud and Luka Jovic.  Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee is said to be their ‘first choice’ option and Sesko is viewed as their current ‘Plan B’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

Significantly, the report has suggested Leipzig are not open to allowing Sesko to depart unless a club is willing to meet the £42m release clause that was placed into the contract he signed when he joined the Bundesliga club last summer.