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Newcastle's ambitious move for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko has hit a snag. The Magpies' substantial bid of $87 million, plus over $5.3 million in add-ons, failed to tempt the Bundesliga outfit to sell, despite Manchester United also showing interest in the Slovenian talent.
Sesko was notably absent from RB Leipzig's squad for its friendly against Italian side Atalanta on Saturday, amid the buzz of Newcastle's offer. Although the initial fee put forward by the Toon matched the club's valuation, the total sum and its structure didn't meet Leipzig's expectations.
The German club remains optimistic about a potential bid from Manchester United after engaging in discussions with both the player and his representatives. Sesko is still weighing up his options, having attracted attention from Arsenal as well.
With a contract running until 2029, Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, has made it clear that his client is looking for a "special project with a special coach". This delay in negotiations is unlikely to have spurred Liverpool into action.
Liverpool itself had a hefty $146M bid for Newcastle's Alexander Isak turned down. Despite the Tyneside club's reluctance to encourage further offers for their prized asset, reportedly valued at $199M, Liverpool's interest may be reignited if Eddie Howe secures another striker to bolster his squad.
Isak is poised to make his way back to Newcastle after missing the team's pre-season tour to Asia and spending time training with his old club, Real Sociedad. However, there's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Swedish international's future, with rumors swirling that Liverpool might re-enter the scene if the Magpies line up a replacement.
Reflecting on Liverpool's spurned bid, Newcastle manager Howe disclosed: "I was made aware of a bid yesterday (Friday) and that bid was turned down, all before I'd even heard about it.
"People back in England are dealing with the situation. I don't know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."
Manchester United also looms as a potential disruptor to Liverpool's plans. The Red Devils initiated contact regarding Sesko last week via intermediaries, sparking conversations about a possible transfer.
Upon their return from a three-match stint in the US, United are expected to intensify negotiations.
Despite the hefty sums involved and United's intent to offload several players before the close of the summer transfer window, they have the financial leeway to recruit a striker without necessitating a sale.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.
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