Benjamin Sesko picks his next club: Premier League move confirmed as €80m bid made

Robin Bairner

2 Aug 2025 11:13 BST
5 min read

Benjamin Sesko, Man Utd, Newcastle — © IMAGO

Benjamin Sesko has made the career-defining decision over where he will play his football next season, with the RB Leipzig striker picking his destination as Manchester United and Newcastle chase him.

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Interest has built over the striker substantially in recent days. After Man Utd completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo, they turned towards Sesko as their option for the No.9 role, while Newcastle’s sudden action has been sparked by Alexander Isak pushing for a move away from St. James’ Park.

With the Premier League season now a matter of days away, both clubs have been desperately seeking to secure the Slovenia international and a bid worth a total of €80 million has been made.

Current ETV

Benjamin Sesko

F (C)

RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko

F (C)

RB Leipzig

ETV Range

€62.7M - €76.6M

Now reports from Sesko’s homeland indicate what decision he has come to.

According to Delo, “well-informed sources” say that the 22-year-old has picked Newcastle.

A transfer fee has not been confirmed, but it has previously been reported by transfer insiders that RB Leipzig value him around the €70-80 million mark, with bonuses likely to be paid on top of that.

Ben Jacobs reports on Saturday that Newcastle have now matched that expectation by making a bid worth an initial €75m, with a further €5m to potentially follow in bonus payments.

The Magpies' strategy is to bid big for the player and hope that Man Utd are unable to match their offer.

Expert opinion: Man Utd's secret weapon

Transfer insider Duncan Castles explored Sesko's situation in depth on the latest edition of the Transfers Podcast in conjunction with FootballTransfers.

"Having signed a new contract with Leipzig last summer, following extensive interest from Arsenal, there was understood to be an arrangement with Leipzig if an elite club by the player's own definition comes in for him, he would be allowed to leave for that fee," he says.

"There's real direct history with Man Utd in that Sesko arrived in the Red Bull system initially at Salzburg having been scouted by Christopher Vivell, who is currently United's director of recruitment.

"Another element to mention here is that Vivell is clearly pushing hard for a player whose career he has had a long interest in. He has a very good relationship with the player and his representative, which should make the deal easier for Man Utd to do."

What does Sesko’s decision mean for Alexander Isak?

This decision promises to have profound consequences in the transfer market, suggesting that Liverpool may just be able to strike a deal for Isak.

Although the Reds were threatening to walk away from negotiations for the Sweden star after they had a (£110m) bid rejected by Newcastle, the fact that Sesko appears to be heading to Newcastle will give them new impetus.

Equally, though, it has been reported by The Telegraph that Newcastle are still hopeful of finding a compromise with Isak, though where the Slovenian would fit into this equation is as yet unclear.

Sesko has scored 27 goals across the last two Bundesliga campaigns and already has Champions League experience, having scored four times in the competition last season as Leipzig surprisingly crashed out at the first hurdle.

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