Newcastle table €90 million bid for Benjamin Šeško

Newcastle’s bid for Šeško reaches €90 million

The transfer race for RB Leipzig’s young star Benjamin Šeško is heating up. According to The Athletic, Newcastle United have submitted an improved package worth up to €90 million after their initial offer was rejected. The first proposal was structured as €75 million plus €5 million in bonuses; the new offer consists of €80 million guaranteed and €10 million in bonuses.

Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed this development, stating that Newcastle have made a decisive move with this bid.

Manchester United submit official offer

Benjamin Šeško had long been on Manchester United’s radar, and the expected move has now materialised. Both Bild and BBC Sport report that the English giants have submitted an official bid to RB Leipzig worth a total of €85 million. The offer includes €75 million guaranteed and €10 million in performance-related add-ons.

With this development, the transfer race has shifted from Newcastle being the sole frontrunner. The financial structure of United’s bid closely matches Newcastle’s €80+10 million package. Leipzig are currently evaluating both proposals, and the decision now hinges on which club Šeško will ultimately choose.

Newcastle’s summer window has underwhelmed

Newcastle’s transfer activity has fallen short of expectations, with club icon and pundit Alan Shearer going as far as to label the window a “disaster.” So far, only Anthony Elanga (permanent transfer) and Aaron Ramsdale (loan) have been added to the squad.

The main focus remains on Alexander Isak’s future. Liverpool’s offer for the Swedish striker was rejected, though reports suggest a second bid is being prepared by the Merseyside club.

Leipzig remain open to a sale

Benjamin Šeško is under contract with RB Leipzig until 2029. However, according to sources close to the club, he has been promised a transfer if a suitable sporting project is presented. While Leipzig are not blocking a move, they expect full market value to be met.

In 2024/25, the Slovenian striker’s tally of 21 goals and 6 assists highlighted his accelerating development in Germany’s top flight.

What does Šeško offer on the pitch?

Šeško’s ability to hold the ball under pressure and act as a passing outlet in back-to-goal scenarios helps maintain attacking rhythm and facilitates transition play. These qualities position him as a valuable connector in build-up and transition phases.

He also stands out for his finishing near the box, showing sharp thinking in tight spaces and the ability to shoot without losing balance. His diagonal runs behind defences make him more than a traditional target man. He is a mobile, versatile forward who continually challenges defensive lines with movement and precision.

How does the Red Bull system develop players like Šeško?

Benjamin Šeško is the latest elite striker shaped by the Red Bull football model. He was signed from Domžale U17 by RB Salzburg in 2019 for €2.5 million, developed further at FC Liefering, and caught attention with strong performances at Salzburg before joining RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for €24 million.

The Red Bull system has previously produced the likes of Erling Haaland (Salzburg to Dortmund), Dominik Szoboszlai (Salzburg to Leipzig to Liverpool), and Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig to Chelsea). These players, developed with technical, physical, and tactical precision, have become reliable investments for Premier League clubs.

Šeško is the latest in that chain. At both Salzburg and Leipzig, he excelled in key Red Bull traits such as exploiting space, making runs behind defences, and high pressing. Such players usually adapt quickly to Premier League demands, arriving prepared for physical duels and high-tempo football.

Can Isak and Šeško play together?

Newcastle’s move for Benjamin Šeško is not about replacing Alexander Isak, but about complementing him. Both players fit the mould of modern dual-purpose centre-forwards, able to hold up play, stretch back lines, and operate with fluidity in the final third.

Šeško adds a powerful frame and technical touch, offering resistance against defenders and making well-timed runs behind. His shooting instincts, spatial awareness, and assertiveness in the box make him a constant presence for opposing defences.

Isak, meanwhile, excels facing goal, with elite dribbling and precise finishing. His ability to beat defenders in tight spaces and create chances for teammates adds creative intelligence to his goal threat. In the box, like Šeško, he is decisive and clinical.

Deploying both players simultaneously could add tactical variety to Eddie Howe’s system. In 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formations, Isak could take on a roaming role while Šeško stays more central. This structure allows flexibility in both possession-based and transition scenarios.

Their combined skill sets could elevate Newcastle’s forward line into one of the most dynamic and tactically versatile in the league. With both profiles at his disposal, Howe has the opportunity to build a multi-dimensional front line that consistently stretches and tests defensive structures.

For Slovenian football, Šeško represents the nation’s first truly elite centre-forward on a continental stage. A potential move to the Premier League could have a transformative impact not just at club level but for the Slovenian national team and football system as a whole.