Newcastle United have significantly increased their bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, offering a fixed fee of £69.7 million (€80m) plus add-ons, according to Sky in Germany. The new offer comes after their initial proposal of £65.3 million plus £4.36 million in bonuses (€75m + €5m) was discussed earlier in the week.
The Tyneside club is eager to bolster its attacking options ahead of the new season, with Sesko seen as a marquee signing to fill the gap left by the departure of Callum Wilson to West Ham. Talks with Leipzig over the deal structure have intensified, with Newcastle hopeful that the latest package will secure the Slovenian international’s signature.
RB Leipzig have been in active discussions with Newcastle since the initial approach. Sources close to the negotiations say the German club is now seriously considering the new terms, although they have yet to make a final decision. Sesko, 21, is reportedly open to a Premier League switch and has made it clear to his teammates that he is leaving the Bundesliga side.
Manchester United Enter the Race for Sesko
Manchester United have officially joined the race to sign Benjamin Sesko, further complicating Newcastle’s plans. The Red Devils are expected to submit a formal offer soon, as manager Erik ten Hag pushes for attacking reinforcements before the window closes.
United’s interest in Sesko raises significant questions about the future of Rasmus Hojlund, who joined the club for £72 million just last summer. According to Sky Sports News, the club is open to listening to offers for Hojlund, who has struggled for consistency in his first season at Old Trafford.
Interestingly, RB Leipzig are reportedly exploring the possibility of taking Hojlund on loan as part of any deal that would see Sesko move to Manchester. This potential swap would ease financial strain on United, who are still looking to offload several players before the transfer deadline. However, club insiders insist that while sales remain a priority, the Red Devils can still buy first if necessary.
Leipzig Chief Confirms Exit Talks Amid Pre-Season Absence
Benjamin Sesko’s absence from RB Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against Atalanta on Saturday further fueled speculation about his imminent departure. According to Sky in Germany, the striker has informed his teammates of his decision to leave the club, which aligns with the ongoing negotiations with Premier League suitors.
Leipzig’s managing director for sport, Marcel Schafer, addressed the media after the match and confirmed that the club has received “strong interest” from multiple clubs. “We won’t go into detail on that,” Schafer said, “but when I say that several clubs have shown strong interest and have made approaches, it’s obvious what has happened.”
This is the clearest sign yet that Sesko’s time at Leipzig is drawing to a close. With two of England’s biggest clubs now competing for his services, the German side will be looking to maximize their return on the young striker, who scored 14 goals in all competitions last season.
Newcastle’s Transfer Struggles and Wissa Frustration
Newcastle’s ambitious summer window has been marred by a series of setbacks. Despite identifying top targets early on, the Magpies have missed out on several players to rival clubs — including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, and James Trafford. These repeated failures have raised concerns about the club’s pulling power and strategy under Financial Fair Play constraints.
Adding to their woes, Newcastle have also hit a wall in their pursuit of Brentford striker Yoane Wissa. A £25 million bid for the Congolese forward was rejected, although Wissa is reportedly keen on a move to St. James’ Park. With Callum Wilson now at West Ham and only young Will Osula as backup, the urgency to sign a striker has never been greater.
Manager Eddie Howe has remained defiant in the face of these challenges. “We’re looking for the best players we can get,” he said. “It’s quality over quantity. That’s always been the way that we try to recruit. We’ve missed out on various targets for loads of different reasons, but we’re still in there fighting.”
What Lies Ahead: A Sesko Tug-of-War
The coming days could prove decisive in the chase for Benjamin Sesko, with Newcastle and Manchester United now locked in direct competition. Both clubs see the 21-year-old as a transformative addition — United to reinvigorate their faltering forward line, and Newcastle to replace a key departure and build a squad capable of challenging for Europe.
For Newcastle, finalizing the Sesko deal would be a major statement amid a difficult transfer window. For United, it could be a strategic pivot away from Hojlund, whose future now hangs in the balance. Leipzig’s openness to include the Danish striker in a swap deal adds a new layer to the saga, potentially smoothing the path for negotiations.
With Sesko’s exit from Leipzig seemingly imminent, and both clubs desperate to bolster their squads before the season starts, the only certainty is that this high-stakes transfer battle is far from over. All eyes now turn to which club will meet the final demands — and win the race for one of Europe’s most sought-after young strikers.
