Newcastle United have taken a major step in the transfer market by submitting a club-record £70million bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško.
The offer matches Leipzig’s valuation, consisting of €75m (£65.5m) up front with an additional €5m (£4.3m) in performance-related bonuses.
According to The Sun, the Magpies acted swiftly to meet the German club’s asking price, moving ahead of Manchester United in the race for the highly rated 22-year-old.
Both Premier League clubs have already held discussions with Šeško’s representatives, with the forward supposedly open to joining either side.
Newcastle United have taken a major step in the transfer market by submitting a club-record £70million bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško
|GETTY
Despite prior reports hinting at Šeško’s preference for a move to Old Trafford — where Manchester United’s recruitment is led by Christopher Vivell, the former RB Salzburg executive who previously worked with him — Newcastle’s Champions League status may tip the scales in their favour.
United, who missed out on European football entirely, are not yet in a position to finalise any agreement and are likely to take more time in their negotiations amid their need to sell before they buy.
Meanwhile, conflicting reports from Slovenia surfaced overnight.
While some claimed Šeško had already chosen Newcastle over Ruben Amorim's side, others suggest he is still considering his options.
Since arriving at Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg, the Slovenian international has racked up 39 goals in 87 appearances, emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
Leipzig are believed to have a gentleman’s agreement with Šeško, meaning they won’t block a transfer if the right offer lands.
READ MORE: Sky Sports suffer backlash after making change for start of new English Football League season
Manchester United and Newcastle are both keen on Benjamin Šeško | PAShould Newcastle complete the signing, it could open the door for Swedish striker Alexander Isak to depart.
The club rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool on Friday and have reportedly placed a £150m price tag on their star man.
Isak, who joined from Real Sociedad back in 2022, netted 23 Premier League goals last season and is seen as Liverpool’s top forward target.
But Newcastle won’t sanction a sale unless a proven replacement is locked in. Šeško, with his physicality, aerial threat, and elite potential, fits the bill perfectly.
Manager Eddie Howe addressed the club’s transfer strategy, emphasising that Newcastle aim to operate with integrity in a competitive market.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Newcastle could offload Alexander Isak to Liverpool if they're able to beat Man United to Benjamin Sesko transfer
| PA"In terms of trying to upset players and all that kind of stuff, from my perspective, we can only talk about our conduct," Howe said.
"We try to do things in the right way. Signing players is always complex. We just try to do what we think is right. I can’t talk about other clubs, that’s not for me to say."