Newcastle United have officially missed out on Benjamin Sesko to RB Leipzig.
In the same week that the Magpies were reportedly going to step up their efforts to sign the 19-year-old, he has secured a move elsewhere.
Leipzig have confirmed the deal, announcing that Sesko will join the Bundesliga side in the summer of 2023. He will spend the current season with RB Salzburg, before making the move to Germany next year.
Sesko has signed a five-year deal with Leipzig, who have secured the services of one of Europe’s brightest prospects.
It’s delight for the Red Bull side, and despair for the Magpies. Newcastle were reportedly considering a £25million bid for the Slovenian, but his future now lies elsewhere.
‘Special player’ Benjamin Sesko joins Leipzig
Sesko’s future move to Leipzig has been confirmed, and they appear to be absolutely delighted with the deal.
“Benjamin Šeško is one of the top international talents and has huge potential to also become a top player,” said technical director Christopher Vivell.
He also praised Sesko’s speed and and aerial prowess, before branding him a ‘special player with a special profile’.
This is nothing new to Newcastle. It’s exactly why the Magpies wanted him at St James’ Park. Newcastle weren’t alone, as various clubs including Manchester United were also interested in the teenager.
And Leipzig’s commercial director Florian Scholz has confirmed that they fended off interest from various clubs to sign Sesko.
“We are very proud that Benjamin decided to join RB Leipzig because he had numerous offers from other clubs and we were able to prevail against enormous competition,” he said.
Whether or not Newcastle were one of those clubs with an offer on the table, it doesn’t matter. Leipzig have won the race. They will be signing Sesko from Salzburg, as he swaps one Red Bull team for another. When you look at it like that, we were always fighting a losing battle.
Blow for Newcastle
Regardless, it is disappointing for Newcastle to miss out. Sesko is a star in the making, and could have joined the Magpies’ ever-growing spine.
We’ve got Bruno Guimaraes in the middle and Sven Botman at the back. These are two relatively young players who will play a big part in Newcastle’s present and future.
Sesko could have fallen into that category, and even could have been a future number nine at St James’ Park. However, that won’t be happening. At least not in the near future.
He becomes the latest forward Newcastle have missed out. It all started with Hugo Ekitike, who has now become a PSG player. He was another talented youngster who could have been a part of Newcastle’s spine.
It’s clear what the Magpies want. We want a young forward who can develop in the North East and eventually become a star. However, that is easier said than done.
First Ekitike, and now Sesko. Newcastle’s hunt for a striker goes on.
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