Get to know Benjamin Sesko… The ‘top-class’ striker Newcastle United are trying to beat Man Utd to

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Hotshot striker Benjamin Sesko is one of the most in-demand players in the transfer window, with Newcastle United desperate to sign him.

Newcastle United have had little luck in the summer transfer window, especially when it comes to strikers.

A laundry list of forwards, including Hugo Ekitike, Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo, have turned them down, while Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool.

Anthony Elanga is the only major addition to Eddie Howe’s squad so far and Newcastle are far from ready to compete in the Premier League and Champions League simultaneously.

Benjamin Sesko represents the last roll of the dice for Newcastle to sign a quality, big-name striker, but it remains far from easy.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sesko.

• Every player linked with Newcastle in summer transfer window: Latest news and prices on Eddie Howe’s targets

Benjamin Sesko to Newcastle United transfer rumours?

Sesko has become one of the transfer sagas of the summer as Newcastle and Man Utd battle for his signature.

Sesko first came on Newcastle’s radar three years ago when he was starting to make his name at Red Bull Salzburg.

A year later, Sesko joined RB Leipzig despite Newcastle’s interest and has continued to develop his game in Germany.

Newcastle continued to be linked to Sesko in 2023 and 2024, with the striker saying it would be ‘nice’ to play in the Premier League.

Interest started to heat up again in 2025, with Sesko named as a player Newcastle had discussed internally, but he became a real concrete target in July when Ekitike joined Liverpool.

Annoyingly, it soon emerged that Man Utd wanted him too, and it appeared that Newcastle had conceded that Sesko was heading to Old Trafford.

However, hopes were revived as Newcastle began talks with the forward and a record-breaking £78m bid has been made for Sesko.

Man Utd remain in the race and it appears Sesko would prefer a move to Manchester, but with the Reds not making a bid, Newcastle are confident of signing him.

It remains to be seen if Sesko’s arrival would open the door for Isak to leave.

How tall is Benjamin Sesko?

Sesko stands at a towering 6’5″ tall, which would make him one of, if not the, tallest strikers in the Premier League should he arrive in England.

If Newcastle could sign him and keep the 6’4″ Isak, then they would have a humongous strike force at their disposal.

How old is Benjamin Sesko?

Born in Radece, Slovenia, on May 31, 2003, Sesko is 22 years of age as of August 2025.

That puts him at a great age for Newcastle to sign, as he is already talented but still has a lot of room to improve further and still has at least a decade at the top level ahead of him.

Benjamin Sesko salary

According to Salary Sport, Sesko earns £69,000 a week at RB Leipzig, which works out at over £3.5m a year.

Though a hefty wage, Newcastle would comfortably be able to give him a big pay rise.

Benjamin Sesko stats and goals

Sesko’s career stats for his clubs and country so far.

Benjamin Sesko Instagram

Sesko has an official Instagram account, @benjaminsesko, with over 375k followers.

He does not appear to have a public-facing X, formerly Twitter, account.

Praise for Benjamin Sesko

Sesko is regarded as one of the most highly rated young strikers in the game and has earned plenty of praise for his performances in his young career.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Sesko back in January.

“I’ve actually known him for a while, I knew him already when he was at Salzburg,” he said, via The Metro.

“I think we played a friendly game here when he was very, very young. I was really impressed, I thought, ‘Where do they get all these players? Ridiculous.'”

Speaking in 2024, Newcastle icon Alan Shearer was left impressed by Sesko, too.

He said on Amazon Prime punditry duty: “He’s got the same frame as he [Erling Haaland] has.

“He’s quick like he is. He can certainly travel with the ball like he can. He is very good at scoring goals. He’s very good at bringing other people into the game. I get the comparison [to Haaland].

“I like him a lot. I know he’s very young, only 21 years of age, so he’s got a lot of learning to do.

“But without a doubt there’s a top-class footballer in there, and I believe it’s only a matter of time before he’s playing, maybe even in the Premier League.

“It’s a matter of who can afford him. This football club has a history of making an absolute fortune on transfers, and this guy could be the next one to come into the Premier League.

“Either foot, left or right, which is great to see. The work rate, the running with the ball – he’s got all of those things. Very good technique, good balance. I don’t think there is a doubt in my mind that he would look very comfortable in the Premier League.”