Newcastle are now expected to encourage offers for Alexander Isak after making progress on a deal for Benjamin Sesko with a new bid worth £78.2 million.
Following Liverpool’s initial, unsuccessful bid for Isak worth around £110 million, Newcastle made their stance clear: they will only sell if they land a replacement.
Their priority target has emerged as RB Leipzig striker Sesko, and after a first offer of €80 million (£69.5m) was turned down last week, they have now returned with an improved bid.
Sky Sports‘ Keith Downie reports that this is worth an up-front fee of €80 million (£69.5m), with Florian Plettenberg reporting for Sky Germany that the package also includes €10 million (£8.7m) in add-ons.
That comes after negotiations between Newcastle and Leipzig figureheads on Monday, while talks were ongoing with Sesko who, according to the Mail‘s Craig Hope, has intimated that he wants to join.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko during the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday November 5, 2024.
Newcastle are expected to push for a final decision on Tuesday, which could have major ramifications on Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak.
According to talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook, Newcastle are now prepared to “reluctantly cash in” on their centre-forward with Sesko lined up as his successor.
Clearly that will require Liverpool to agree a fee with their Premier League rivals, but the structure of Newcastle‘s latest offer to Leipzig suggests they are confident that can be achieved.
Put simply, despite their improved PSR situation, there would unlikely be enough available funds to pay almost £70 million up front unless Isak was to be sold.
For his part, Isak has made it clear he wishes to leave Newcastle and is reported to have turned down advances from Saudi Arabia as he prioritises Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The expectation is that personal terms have already been provisionally agreed with the champions, who will have conducted extensive due diligence around a deal that will shatter the British transfer record for the second time this summer.
Al-Hilal were credited with an interest in Isak but This Is Anfield understands they have now turned their attention to Darwin Nunez.
As is the case with Newcastle‘s advances on Sesko, Liverpool’s coffers would be boosted by a big-money sale of their current No. 9 and allow them to continue spending even beyond a potential £130 million move for Isak.
Liverpool are likely to then make at least one more signing, with a new centre-back required and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi still on the radar.