Joe Buck takes a look at the very latest news surrounding Newcastle United's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko. Manchester United have also shown an interest in signing the Slovenian international.
00:00So, what just is happening with Newcastle United's pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
00:06Now, we all know that Sesko has emerged as a potential option for Newcastle should they sell Alexander Izak to Liverpool.
00:13Now, on Izak, Newcastle maintain, he's not for sale, he's under contract for three more years at Newcastle.
00:20And obviously, you know, Liverpool's interest, as much as they can say they're monitoring, they're preparing a bid,
00:26and all those sort of jargons and all, whatever, Fabrizio Romano and whatever else, whoever else on social media throws out right now,
00:33they haven't made a bid for Izak. Therefore, Izak remains a Newcastle United player.
00:37And unless Liverpool, you know, firm up their interest, put in an actual bid, then it's almost a bit of pointless talking about it, really.
00:44You know, Liverpool's bluster and, you know, whatever has happened, whatever they've done with the player,
00:50if he's had his head turned, ultimately, they need to submit a bid for Izak to even give Newcastle United something to think about.
00:56If that does happen, you know, then Newcastle do have a decision to make.
01:01Of course, they'd be silly not to have irons in the fire and alternatives lined up,
01:05and it does seem like if they do sign Sesco, then Izak will, you know, will be allowed to leave.
01:09But they'll make sure they get their most bang for the buck, you know, they don't want to lose Izak.
01:13They're going to have a club record, a British record fee, sorry, if they're going to accept any offer for him.
01:18So it's certainly one to keep an eye on. But back to Sesco, he has emerged as the number one target.
01:24I think, to be honest, he's probably currently, of the strikers out there, the only one that they can really go for
01:28that would soften the blow of losing Izak, you know, coming through the Red Bull system.
01:34A lot is made of that, you know, the players they produce, and there is a lot of successes.
01:38Of course, Erling Haaland, probably one of the biggest successes, especially, you know, strikers.
01:42But there's also a bit of caution. Sometimes it doesn't work out.
01:45You know, Timo Werner excelled at Leipzig, and then there's really struggled in the Premier League with Chelsea and Tottenham.
01:50So there is, of course, some reservations, and the reservations will stem from the fact Newcastle are going to have to pay a club record fee to get him.
01:56You know, there's talk of at least £64 million at the baseline fee, plus plenty of add-ons, no doubt,
02:03and a sell-on clause for Leipzig as well in the future.
02:05So it's one that Newcastle have to be really sure that they want to make a move if they're going to sign him.
02:09And all of this is then compounded by the fact Manchester United have shown interest in signing him as well.
02:16Now, we've seen loads of players this summer, I'm not going to reel through the names, you know,
02:20not join Newcastle United in favour of their rivals.
02:23You know, Manchester United have even done it with Brian and Boemo and Mateus Cunha.
02:26So seeing Cesc go leave for one of their rivals would be a big blow.
02:30And it's one that you would think would be avoidable.
02:34You know, Newcastle United can offer Champions League football.
02:36Manchester United have got no European football of any sort to offer.
02:39But unfortunately, PSR means Manchester United can just offer more wages.
02:44They've got a wage structure that will allow someone like Cesc to earn much more money at Old Trafford than they would at St. James' Park.
02:51You can see Manchester United fans saying players like Boemo and Cunha are coming for the project.
02:56And maybe that is true.
02:57But realistically, especially in Boemo's case, Newcastle United weren't prepared to meet his wage demands.
03:02Manchester United were.
03:03So he went to Manchester United.
03:04And I feel the same might happen with Cesc.
03:06I think it seems to be that, that Manchester United can probably match his wage demands.
03:10And of course, the lure of paying for Manchester United, Champions League football or not, is a big thing.
03:15But right now, it does seem that Newcastle United are second favourites in that.
03:18They'll keep pushing for a move.
03:19And of course, if they get desperate, then, you know, they might end up being able to convince the player.
03:25But right now, it does seem Manchester United is destination.
03:28And, you know, time of speaking what we are on, the 1st of August, that Isak will probably begin the season.
03:33Newcastle United player.
03:34Unless there's a big shift in that move.
03:35And as I said, unless Liverpool stop blustering and, you know, all the performative things they've done the media and actually put a bid on the table,
03:42Alexander Isak will remain a Newcastle United player.
03:44And Cesc, whether he remains a Leipzig player or Manchester United player, is not really a Newcastle's concern if that happens.
03:50But yeah, plenty of action and plenty of stuff to happen in the last month of the transfer window closed on Monday 1st September.
03:56And of course, the best way you can stay up to date with all the latest Newcastle United transfer news is with the Shields Gazette.
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