Newcastle United are pulling out all the stops in their pursuit of a new striker – after their initial bid for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško was rejected, the Magpies have upped the ante to €80 million in fixed fees plus €10 million in add-ons, totaling a whopping €90 million. The news, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, underscores Newcastle’s desperation to land the 22-year-old.
Isak’s Saga Acts as Catalyst, Forcing Urgent Striker Hunt
The departure drama surrounding first-choice striker Alexander Isak has put Newcastle’s recruitment drive on a knife-edge. The Swedish forward is smitten with Liverpool’s interest and eager to join Arne Slot’s setup; even though the club turned down the Reds’ bid, his “body here, heart elsewhere” attitude has left manager Eddie Howe fuming. While Howe publicly warned Isak to “toe the line,” it smacks more of a face-saving move for the club. If Isak continues to kick up a fuss, Newcastle will likely cash in – and signing Šeško is their insurance policy.
For a Newcastle side aiming to clinch Champions League qualification, Šeško is the perfect firefighter – Howe is a big fan of the Serbian’s explosive threat. But the wild card is Manchester United: Šeško has openly declared he’d “join United even without Champions League football” and is sold on new boss Rúben Amorim’s vision. If United match the €90 million, Leipzig will likely bow to the player’s wishes; but if the Red Devils can’t stump up the cash, Newcastle’s mega-bid could prove decisive.
With the new season looming, this transfer tussle is in its final stretch. Will Šeško choose Newcastle’s Champions League dream or United’s Rich family allure? The answer could drop as soon as this week.
