Liverpool Told to Pay £84million to Sign Bundesliga Forward This Summer – Report | OneFootball

Benjamin Šeško to Liverpool? Club Eyes Leipzig Striker Amid Transfer Jigsaw

With the summer transfer window looming and Darwin Núñez attracting increasing attention from Saudi clubs and across Europe, Liverpool’s search for a new No. 9 is intensifying. Amidst sky-high valuations for elite strikers across Europe, the club appears to be shifting focus towards a more attainable, yet highly promising talent: Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig.

Credit to Lorenzo Lepore, who recently reported that “Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all recently expressed interest in Benjamin Šeško,” though added a critical note: “RB Leipzig are demanding a high transfer fee—reportedly over €100/£84million plus add-ons—as they are keen to retain the striker.”

Let’s break down what this means for Liverpool and why Šeško has suddenly emerged as a viable, if complicated, option.

Rising Striker, Declining Club Fortunes

RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga campaign has not gone to plan. Their recent 0-0 draw against Werder Bremen officially ended hopes of a top-four finish, with fifth now the best possible outcome. That leaves the German side without Champions League football next season—a potential catalyst for departures.

Benjamin Šeško, still only 21, has continued to impress with his combination of pace, aerial presence, and a composure in front of goal that belies his age. The striker’s reported release clause of around €80 million (£67.3m) had initially made him an appealing proposition for a club like Liverpool, who prefer to act with financial pragmatism, particularly under the sporting structure that’s expected to evolve under incoming leadership.

But Leipzig’s apparent desire to demand more than the clause—“over €100 million plus add-ons”—adds an unexpected twist. The Bundesliga side might be hoping that mounting Premier League interest will trigger a bidding war.

Liverpool’s Striker Conundrum

While Darwin Núñez has had flashes of brilliance, inconsistency and tactical misfits have often left Liverpool fans wondering if he’s truly the right long-term answer. With Arne Slot now at the helm—fresh off a Premier League title in his debut campaign—there’s renewed focus on identifying a striker who fits Slot’s vision: fluid in pressing, versatile in attack, and able to deliver in clutch moments.

That makes Šeško an intriguing option. Still raw but with a ceiling that could rival some of Europe’s top forwards, he fits the Slot mould. He’s not just an aerial threat but also a modern forward who can drop deep, hold the ball, and bring others into play.

Photo: IMAGO

Given that “Liverpool may see an opening” due to Leipzig’s Champions League absence, this could be the opportune moment to strike—if they’re willing to negotiate creatively around the inflated valuation.

Fierce Competition, Inflated Market

Newcastle remain firm on retaining Alexander Isak. Atletico Madrid are reluctant to part with Julián Álvarez without a premium. Hugo Ekitiké is another name doing the rounds, but none of these options fall below the £100 million mark.

This makes Šeško unique in this conversation. Even at €80 million, he’s more affordable than most of his counterparts—though far from a bargain. And with multiple Premier League clubs circling, Liverpool must move decisively if they’re serious.

The summer promises to be a striker’s market, and Liverpool need to decide swiftly whether Šeško is worth the push or if better value lies elsewhere.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, there’s understandable scepticism about this move. Benjamin Šeško is undoubtedly talented, but the notion of paying upwards of €100 million for a player whose release clause is €80 million feels like classic transfer window inflation. It raises questions about Leipzig’s integrity in the process—and Liverpool’s potential willingness to be drawn into yet another drawn-out negotiation.

Liverpool fans have seen this story before. Players linked with an “affordable” price tag, only for valuations to spiral the moment our interest becomes public. And now, with Arne Slot fresh off a Premier League title, expectations are sky-high. We need proven talent, not another “project.”

If Leipzig are trying to overreach despite missing out on Champions League football, then perhaps it’s time we walked away. There are other options out there—and with Michael Edwards back in the fold, we expect smarter recruitment, not overpriced gambles.

Šeško has promise, no doubt. But Liverpool need certainty. We can’t afford to be another chapter in a summer saga where we end up either overpaying—or settling for plan B in August.