Leipzig and Newcastle now negotiating payment terms of Benjamin Sesko £70m transfer fee – Sky Sports
Newcastle United Reportedly Meet RB Leipzig’s €80m Valuation for Benjamin Sesko Amid Transfer Talks
Newcastle United have taken a significant step toward bolstering their attacking line with the potential signing of highly-rated striker Benjamin Sesko. According to a detailed report from Sky Sports on Saturday, the Magpies have submitted a formal offer that matches RB Leipzig’s valuation of the 22-year-old Slovenian forward.
The proposed deal consists of a guaranteed €75 million (approximately £65.5 million), with an additional €5 million (around £4.4 million) in performance-based add-ons. In total, the package could rise to €80 million (roughly £70 million), aligning with the fee Leipzig reportedly requested from clubs interested in acquiring the promising striker.
This development closely followed reports from Slovenian media earlier in the day, which claimed that Sesko had made the decision to join Newcastle United ahead of rival interest from Manchester United. While this claim has yet to be universally confirmed, it sparked considerable excitement among Newcastle supporters and sent shockwaves across the transfer landscape.
Further fueling speculation, Sesko was notably absent from RB Leipzig’s matchday squad for their final home pre-season friendly against Serie A side Atalanta, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the German club. The omission was widely interpreted as a clear indicator that Sesko’s departure from Leipzig is imminent.
Renowned Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, who closely follows Newcastle United, provided further clarity on the matter. While some media outlets initially suggested that Leipzig had rejected Newcastle’s bid, Downie dismissed that notion. He reported that the Bundesliga side and the Premier League club remain in active negotiations—not over the total sum, but regarding the structure of the payment.
The two parties are still working through the finer details of the offer, particularly on how and when the funds would be disbursed. According to Downie, this is the main reason why an agreement has not yet been finalized. The valuation appears to be acceptable to Leipzig, but until payment terms are agreed upon, the deal remains in limbo.
As for Sesko himself, Sky Sports reports that sources close to the striker suggest he remains open to both Newcastle United and Manchester United. His final decision will likely hinge on which club can reach a full agreement with Leipzig first. If both Premier League sides meet the financial demands, Sesko will then weigh up his options and make a personal decision on where to continue his career.
Adding to the intrigue, Sesko’s agent reportedly flew into Leipzig on Saturday evening. The agent’s presence is seen as an effort to accelerate negotiations and facilitate a smooth transfer for the player, with a resolution now expected to come within days rather than weeks.
Meanwhile, the fact that Sesko was not involved in Saturday’s friendly match only reinforces the belief that a transfer is imminent. Also absent from the squad was Xavi Simons, another player widely expected to leave Leipzig in the coming days, with Chelsea believed to be leading the race for the Dutch playmaker.
While Newcastle appear to be leading the race for Sesko, the transfer saga is not yet concluded. All eyes will remain fixed on the outcome of negotiations in the coming days, with fans eagerly awaiting official confirmation that one of Europe’s most promising young strikers is headed to St James’ Park.