Newcastle exploring move for Benjamin Sesko after Alexander Isak tells Magpies he wants to seek a transfer away

Newcastle are exploring a move for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko after the bombshell that Alexander Isak is seeking a transfer away from the club.

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope broke the news that Isak is willing to explore a move elsewhere, with the forward having been left off their tour of the Far East.

Newcastle's hierarchy are aware of Isak’s wish to consider his options this summer, with Liverpool readying a British record offer for the forward.

Newcastle are considering moving for RB Leipzig's highly-rated forward Sesko, with Mail Sport revealing the Slovenian is a player the club have watched for some time.

Sesko has previously been linked with Arsenal, but the Gunners instead pressed ahead with a move for Viktor Gyokeres.

Sesko joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for the club.

Newcastle are considering a move for Benjamin Sesko if Alexander Isak departs

The Magpies have been hit by the bombshell news that Alexander Isak wants to leave

The forward signed a new contract last summer, extending his deal until the summer of 2029.

His extension reportedly removed a £55million release clause in his previous deal with the Bundesliga club.

The Slovenian forward had scored 29 goals in 79 matches for RB Salzburg before moving to the German top flight in 2023.

He has made 28 appearances in the Champions League to date across both clubs, with his six goals in the competition coming as an RB Leipzig player.

Sesko also has 16 goals in 41 matches at international level for Slovenia.

Newcastle's interest comes amid Isak's desire to seek a move, despite having three years to run on his contract.

Chief executive Darren Eales said in March that a new deal would be discussed at the end of the season but, for now, Isak and his camp do not want to commit, with Liverpool’s interest their priority.

Newcastle’s owners and head coach Eddie Howe do not want to sell and the preference would be to negotiate fresh terms, even if that meant a move next summer.

Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig since signing back in 2023

That possibility remains, given Newcastle are in a strong position contractually, but an offer from Liverpool or any club in the region of £150million, coupled with Isak’s own wishes, could see a move accelerate in the coming weeks.

Isak missed Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic at the weekend after Howe said the player had been allowed to return home amid the speculation over his future, as well as a desire to ‘manage his minutes’.

The Magpies boss said after the game that he expected Isak to travel to Singapore and South Korea. The club say his absence is because of a minor thigh issue.

The forward has scored 62 goals from 109 matches for Newcastle and, under Howe, has developed into one of the most coveted strikers in world football.

Newcastle have already missed out on summer target Hugo Ekitike, with Liverpool completing a £79million move for the forward on Wednesday.

The Magpies, who have signed Anthony Elanga this summer, have also seen a bid for Brentford's Yoane Wissa rejected.

Click here to read article