‘Newcastle to miss out on Sesko after Isak exit as Chelsea trash plans again’
Newcastle are in turmoil after Alexander Isak made it clear he wants to leave and Chelsea’s latest plans may even scupper a move for Benjamin Sesko.
The Swedish striker was sent home prior to Celtic’s 4-0 pre-season demolition of the Magpies in Glasgow, before being omitted from the club’s pre-season tour of Asia due to a “minor thigh problem” [The Athletic].
However, it then came to light that Isak’s absence was actually down to the striker wanting to leave Newcastle.
Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt after enquiring about a move for the Sweden international, but the 25-year-old is now unsettled at St. James’ Park.
And with their transfer strategy this summer seeming hopeless, Eddie Howe’s side looks set to miss out on yet another target in a bid to replace Isak if he departs the North East.
Newcastle target RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko
With very few options remaining in the transfer market, Howe’s side needs to find a solution before allowing Isak to depart the club.
Sesko has emerged as a target for Newcastle. The 22-year-old has been a target for various clubs this summer, including Arsenal, Man United, and Chelsea.
However, none of the above have made a move for the Slovenian star, instead prioritising moves for cheaper or more proven targets.
Sesko is an enticing option for the Magpies due to his similarities to Isak. Both strikers have large frames that are well-suited for Premier League football, but are excellent with their feet.
But the Slovenian striker has a lack of concrete suitors this summer for two reasons. Firstly, the former Salzburg forward’s price tag is more than €75million (£65m) [The Athletic], and secondly, the youngster suffered a down-season last term, scoring one more Bundesliga goal than he managed the year prior whilst playing 900 extra minutes.
Chelsea target move for Xavi Simons
This summer alone, Newcastle have missed out on Dean Huijsen, Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, and James Trafford, who is on his way to Man City.
Delap and Pedro have both made the move to Chelsea, rejecting interest from the North Eastern side, and another deal for the Blues could once again scupper the Magpies’ plans.
Xavi Simons is a target for the West London side, who are already in talks to take him to Stamford Bridge. The Dutchman, along with Lois Openda and Sesko, are Leipzig’s starting front-three.
As reported by The Athletic, there is significant interest in the winger and Belgian striker, and club sources revealed that whilst the Slovenian forward’s chances of staying in East Germany “remain slender”, they have “still increased considerably in recent weeks”.
With Newcastle so clearly a step behind their rivals in the transfer market, it is easy to see why Isak is keen to jump ship this summer.
Interest in Sesko has declined considerably after Leipzig endured a poor season, and the Sweden international will be desperate to avoid suffering a similar fate.
However, the Bundesliga side remains willing to sell their talented striker if the price is right, and with their options dwindling, Newcastle may have to bite the bullet and splash out on the 22-year-old’s potential, rather than his current ability, or risk entering the 2025/26 campaign without a recognised striker.