Newcastle United reportedly bids £80 million for teenage striker Sesko
In a surprising turn of events, two Premier League giants, Newcastle United and Manchester United, are locked in a fierce bidding war for the signature of RB Leipzig's star striker, Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian international, who extended his contract with Leipzig until 2029 earlier this year, has not yet made a decision on his transfer. Newcastle United has made an official bid of €75 million plus €5 million, which matches Leipzig's valuation of the player, making Sesko potentially the most expensive signing in Newcastle United's history [1]. Manchester United, on the other hand, is rumored to be preparing an offer for the young striker [2].
The Magpies' advantage lies in their qualification for the Champions League, while Manchester United missed out on international competition this season. However, the allure of replacing Alexander Isak could be a significant factor in Sesko's decision [3].
Meanwhile, another high-profile transfer saga involves Xavi Simons, the Dutch international who is targeting a move to the Premier League and Chelsea in particular. Simons' absence from RB Leipzig's game against Atalanta Bergamo is not due to an injury or issue, but rather his clear intention to leave the club [1]. Chelsea has initiated talks with Leipzig for Simons' transfer [2].
Simons was loaned from Paris Saint-Germain before his transfer to Leipzig in late January 2023, with a transfer fee of €50 million and potential bonus payments. However, his transfer to Chelsea is not confirmed yet [3].
Interestingly, earlier in July, Sesko's transfer to Arsenal seemed imminent, but Arsenal signed Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres instead [1]. Sesko subsequently extended his contract with RB Leipzig until 2029 [2].
As the transfer window approaches its close, the fate of these two promising young stars remains uncertain. The player's agents are in active discussions with both clubs, and RB Leipzig is carefully considering the offers amid the bidding war [3].
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3]
European-leagues continue to be a battleground for top talent, as two Premier League powerhouses, Newcastle United and Manchester United, are engaged in a heated competition to secure the signature of RB Leipzig's sought-after striker, Benjamin Sesko. Despite having matchingly bid €75 million plus €5 million with Leipzig's valuation, Chelsea is also pursuing Xavi Simons, a Dutch international targeting a move to the Premier League, fueling speculation in European-leagues.
