Newcastle make improved Benjamin Sesko transfer offer to move ahead of Man Utd in chase
Newcastle have lodged an improved bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko with their latest offer hitting the £70million mark. The German side had rejected their opening bid, which included add-ons.
The Magpies have identified the Slovenian as their top target in attack with Sesko likely being the replacement for Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move to Liverpool. Newcastle know that Manchester United too are keen on the Leipzig frontman, but are yet to bid.
It puts Eddie Howe's side in pole position currently to land the striker, who has reportedly told his team-mates in Germany that he will be moving on this summer. Whilst United are interested it is thought that currently they would not pay as much as Newcastle - it comes as United have been slammed for missing out on an Arsenal star after Bruno Fernandes let rip at his team-mates.
Positive talks have been held between Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben, Leipzig and the 22-year-old striker, as first reported by the Athletic. Sesko is understood to be open to both projects but Leipzig are adamant that they will not sell until their valuation is met.
The Slovenian is among the brightest young forwards in Europe and the Bundesliga outfit want to ensure they get a fee that reflects that. Leipzig are without Champions League football this term but will not sell their top players on the cheap with some of their other leading lights attracting attention.
Newcastle recently turned down an opening offer of £110m from Liverpool for Isak, who did not feature on the club's recent pre-season tour, citing an injury issue. He was later seen training at former club Real Sociedad.
Isak has now been at St James' Park for three years and has continued to blossom since making a club-record move. He is now among Europe's top strikers but is haggling for a move elsewhere. It is the first time in the Saudi-era at Newcastle that a major name has expressed a desire to push for the exit door, leaving the club with a decision to make.
They value Isak at £150m and are likely to hold out for close to that figure. The Swede has years to run on his contract, meaning Newcastle are not under pressure to sell. They also want to know that they've got a top quality replacement through the door before they consider selling.
Sesko's contract with Leipzig runs through to 2029, but his deal is thought to include a gentleman's agreement allowing him to leave. He has recorded 39 goals and eight assists in 87 appearances for the German club since moving from RB Salzburg in 2023.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
22 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin must bin Rangers experiment as Ibrox flop set for shock Borussia Dortmund transfer
The Light Blues host Viktoria Plzen in Tuesday night's Champions League third-round first leg Russell Martin has been urged to bin the Max Aarons experiment at left-back ahead of Tuesday's Champions League blockbuster. On-loan Bournemouth defender Aarons has been played out of position to accommodate captain James Tavernier over the summer. Traditionally a right-back, the 25-year-old has looked uncomfortable on the opposite flank in recent clashes with Panathinaikos and Motherwell. The Motherwell midfielder told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: "I think the Max Aarons experiment at left-back is three games too many already. "I just think he looks extremely uncomfortable out there. I think the attributes that you hear or see, I just feel are fully negated on that left-hand side. "Do you know what? I'll say five games. I watched the Middlesbrough and Club Brugge games and I just think he looks uncomfortable out there. With such a massive game, I just think that experiment has to end. "The signing of Max Aarons alone tells me he's [Tavernier] under immense pressure. Russell Martin clearly wants competition in certain areas of the field. I don't think Max Aarons is being signed not to play. "So I think straight away, James Tavernier has to earn his jersey. If he's got it, he's got to keep it. "But certainly from that left-hand side, I think there's going to be a change there on Tuesday night." Meanwhile, Ibrox flop Fabio Silva is closing in on a shock move to Borussia Dortmund. Wolves are keen to offload the Portugal cap after splashing out £35million to land him from Porto in 2020. But the big-money move hasn't worked out and Silva, 23, has spent the last three years out on loan with four different clubs. Now, Wolves are ready to cut their losses and reports suggest German heavyweights Dortmund have proposed a five-year deal. Silva - who struggled during a short stint at Ibrox in 2024 - is in the final year of his contract and could leave the Molineux for £17m. Italian outfit Roma are also keen on the attacker but Dortmund are in the driving seat. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
STV News
22 minutes ago
- STV News
Celtic and Rangers Champions League play-off dates confirmed
The Champions League play-off dates for Celtic and Rangers have been confirmed by UEFA. The draw in Nyon on Monday morning laid out the possible path to the September group stages for both Old Firm sides. Celtic went into the seeded Champions Path side of the draw and will hope to reach the revamped group stages once more. Last season, they emerged from the single 36-team table with a 21st-place finish. The Parkhead side were knocked in heartbreaking fashion after Bayern Munich scored in injury time to win their play-off tie 3-2 on aggregate. They will face either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava in the play-off, with the first leg at Parkhead, on Wednesday, August 20, and the return leg a week later on Tuesday, August 26. To reach the play-off stage, Russell Martin's side must first defeat Viktoria Plzen, whom they host on Tuesday night, before the return leg on August 12. Rangers have been drawn against Austrian side RB Salzburg or Club Brugge of Belgium, and could face them on Tuesday, August 19, with the return leg a week later on Wednesday, August 27. The winner of the third round tie will play the first leg at home. Celtic, and Rangers, should they get there, will be allowed to postpone their Scottish Premiership fixture scheduled between both legs of the play-off tie following an SPFL rule change. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd draw up two-striker shortlist if Newcastle win Benjamin Sesko race
Manchester United are hoping to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko this summer, but the Red Devils are considering two alternatives if they miss out on the striker to Newcastle Manchester United are desperate to sign a new striker this summer and have two back-up options if they fail to land Benjamin Sesko. RB Leipzig star Sesko is their top target, but they are facing stiff competition for his signature from Newcastle. The Magpies have made an improved offer worth £70million for Sesko, while United are yet to officially bid for the 22-year-old. Sesko netted 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions last season. According to a new report from the Athletic, United are also considering potential alternatives to Sesko if Newcastle win the race with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson on their radar. Chelsea are said to be open to selling Jackson this summer after signing Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, but only if they receive an 'acceptable proposal'. French outlet L'Equipe, meanwhile, are reporting that Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani is another option United are considering. Juventus were the frontrunners for Muani, but it is claimed that deal has now stalled. As a result, United could now make a move for the 26-year-old, although Tottenham are also said to be interested in Muani. The news comes after United captain Bruno Fernandes urged the club to make more signings before the new season starts. "It's improving, but it's not where we want it to be," Fernandes said after a 2-2 draw with Everton in pre-season. "It's a game of football, there's always passion there. Whatever happens, happens. There was nothing spicy there, it's normal, it is part of the game. "It's been positive [the US tour] and it's good to create a bond with the players. We looked a bit lazy today and we need to change that. "I don't want to have a dig at anyone, but I think the club is doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about. I don't know about it, I'm not involved in that. But obviously it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here. "We needed more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more and to have more to do to get into the starting line-up. I think that's what the club and the manager are trying to do and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that."
