Sky Sports: Newcastle are now Negotiating Payment Terms of Benjamin Sesko £70m Transfer

 

Newcastle United are edging closer to the signing of highly-rated striker Benjamin Sesko, with the Premier League club having already met RB Leipzig’s overall valuation of the player. According to Sky Sports, the Magpies have submitted a formal offer worth a total of €80 million (approximately £70 million) for the 22-year-old Slovenian forward. This package includes a guaranteed fee of €75 million (around £65.5 million), along with a further €5 million (£4.4 million) in performance-related add-ons.

 

This significant development comes after Slovenian media outlets earlier reported that Sesko had chosen Newcastle United as his preferred destination, opting for the Tyneside club over long-term admirers Manchester United. Those reports emerged on Saturday morning and were quickly followed by updates from Sky Sports, lending credibility to suggestions that Sesko may indeed favour a move to St James’ Park.

 

As negotiations intensify, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, who covers Newcastle United, provided an important clarification amid conflicting reports. While some sources had claimed RB Leipzig had rejected Newcastle’s offer, Downie stated that this was not accurate. Instead, he revealed that both clubs are now focused on ironing out the finer details of the payment structure — specifically how and when the money will be paid — rather than debating the total fee itself.

 

At this stage, there is no final agreement, but talks remain active and positive. The transfer now appears to hinge on reaching a consensus regarding the instalments and bonus clauses involved in the deal, rather than on the valuation of the player.

 

Further fuelling speculation about Sesko’s imminent departure from Leipzig, the forward was conspicuously absent from RB Leipzig’s matchday squad for their final home pre-season friendly against Italian Serie A side Atalanta. Leipzig ultimately lost the match 2-1, and while several key players featured, neither Sesko nor fellow transfer-linked star Xavi Simons were included — a telling sign that both could be on the move in the coming days. Simons, notably, is expected to join Chelsea, with negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage.

 

Back to Sesko: despite claims from Slovenia suggesting he has already made his decision, Sky Sports maintains that the striker remains open to offers from both Newcastle and Manchester United. The final decision, they report, will be made once both clubs reach full agreement with RB Leipzig over the financial terms of the transfer. With Newcastle seemingly in pole position, thanks to their already-submitted offer that meets Leipzig’s valuation, all eyes are now on the payment plan negotiations.

 

Adding more weight to the seriousness of the situation, Sesko’s agent is believed to have flown into Leipzig on Saturday night to help push discussions forward and facilitate a smooth transition for his client. Sources suggest that both clubs are eager to conclude business swiftly, and a resolution could come within days rather than weeks.

 

This transfer saga has rapidly become one of the summer’s most closely followed stories, as Benjamin Sesko appears increasingly likely to leave the Bundesliga for the Premier League. Whether he ultimately lands at Newcastle or Old Trafford, all indications point to a decision — and potentially an official unveiling — before the 2025/26 season kicks off.

 

For Newcastle fans, hopes are high that their club can land one of Europe’s most promising young strikers and make a major statement ahead of the new campaign.