David Ornstein: Newcastle United ‘Exploring Move’ to Sign 21-Goal Striker | OneFootball

Newcastle Eye Sesko as Isak Exit Looms: What It Means for the Magpies

David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Newcastle United are actively exploring a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, should Alexander Isak depart. The news that Isak “wants to leave” and is “not going on the side’s pre-season tour” has sent ripples through Tyneside, particularly with Liverpool circling for his signature.

While Newcastle maintain the 25-year-old Swede is not for sale, his absence from the squad, coupled with the Reds’ growing interest under new boss Arne Slot, suggests there may be more going on behind the scenes than publicly acknowledged.

Sesko, 22, has long been admired by Newcastle and appears to be the top alternative if they are forced into parting ways with Isak. However, finances will play a major role. The article makes clear that “a deal would be highly challenging from a financial perspective,” especially considering Sesko’s newly signed contract with Leipzig which runs until 2029.

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What Sesko Offers on the Pitch

Benjamin Sesko enjoyed a stellar 2024-25 campaign, notching 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions. But his value lies well beyond goal-scoring. As The Athletic’s Anantaajith Raghuraman notes, Sesko is “keen to get on the ball and willing to take risks,” despite occasional inconsistency in passing.

Standing at 6ft 5in, he possesses both technical finesse and physical dominance. His close control and dribbling at pace make him a unique threat in one-on-one situations. Furthermore, his aerial prowess and adaptability in front of goal — “he scores with his stronger right foot, left foot and head” — mark him as a complete forward.

Sesko has proven effective when paired with pacey attackers such as Lois Openda and Junior Adamu. This complements Newcastle’s current attacking profiles, potentially making him an ideal tactical fit if Isak moves on.

Financial Barriers to a Sesko Signing

While Newcastle’s ambition is clear, there is no denying the financial complexity. Sesko’s new deal reportedly comes with a gentleman’s agreement to allow him to leave for the “right project,” but no firm release clause is publicly confirmed. Leipzig will likely demand a substantial fee, and Newcastle’s room to manoeuvre under Financial Fair Play regulations is not limitless.

This could put them in direct competition with other European clubs monitoring Sesko’s availability. Arsenal, once a front-runner, have pivoted toward Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, but other suitors may soon emerge should Newcastle make their interest official.

What Losing Isak Would Mean

Selling Isak, Newcastle’s top scorer last season, would not only remove a key goal threat but could also signal a frustrating summer for fans expecting the club to build on recent progress. The 25-year-old has grown into a talismanic figure under Eddie Howe, and losing him to a rival like Liverpool would sting more than most.

The hope, perhaps, is that Sesko could soften that blow — but that is a long way from being assured.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

There’s no sugar-coating it. If Alexander Isak goes, this transfer window takes on a much darker shade. We’ve had time to get used to being a selling club, but that was supposed to have changed when the new ownership came in. We didn’t just expect spending — we expected backbone.

The idea that Isak “wants to leave” hurts. He was the face of our resurgence, a striker who seemed to thrive in black and white, and now we’re on the brink of handing him over to Liverpool of all clubs. What does that say about our project if players still see Merseyside as a step up?

Sesko is a fantastic player, no doubt, and if we do get him it shows we still have ambition. But make no mistake — this is a huge gamble. There’s no guarantee he adapts to the Premier League, and we’d still need time to rebuild a forward line that loses its focal point.

If Isak leaves and we don’t land Sesko, this window could be looked back on as a turning point — but not the one we’d hoped for.