Newcastle make club-record £69.9m bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as they look to beat Man United to striker’s signature – with Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park still up in the air
Newcastle have tabled an official club-record bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
Despite securing Champions League football under Eddie Howe last season the Magpies have endured a difficult start to the transfer window.
The club’s previous record arrival, Alexander Isak, appears to be intent on departing the North East this summer, with Premier League champions Liverpool his most likely destination.
With their top goalscorer potentially on his way out of the club, in recent weeks Newcastle earmarked the Slovenian international Sesko as a potential replacement.
Amid competition from Manchester United for the 24-year-old’s signature, on Saturday the club made an official bid for Sesko comprising of a £65.5m up-front fee plus an additional £4.4m in add-ons.
United’s interest has been led by director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously worked with Sesko at RB Salzburg and described the 6ft 4in forward as having the potential to become one of the world’s leading players.
The Old Trafford club are said to have named Sesko their No 1 target in recent weeks, having previously been linked with a move for Aston Villa marksman Ollie Watkins.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had also been keeping tabs on Sesko as part of their own hunt for a new striker the Gunners ultimately moved for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
However, reports from Sesko’s native Slovenia claimed on Friday that Sesko would prefer a move to St James’ Park this summer.
More to follow
