Benjamin Sesko has been at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Newcastle United and Manchester United this summer, with the Slovenian reportedly set to swap RB Leipzig for the Premier League
Benjamin Sesko looks on
Newcastle United hope to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko was previously described as a superior talent to Manchester City's Erling Haaland by a coach who has mentored both footballers.
Newcastle United's hunt for striking reinforcement appears to have focused on the RB Leipzig sensation, though they may have to duke it out with Manchester United for his services as Ruben Amorim continues his own search for a proven No. 9.
The 22-year-old Slovenian has racked up a remarkable tally of 39 goals in 87 outings for Leipzig, attracting attention from numerous Premier League heavyweights. As a result, the Magpies have wasted very little time in submitting a generous bid of £69.7million plus add-ons for Sesko, while reports suggest that their opening offer worth £65.3m earlier this summer was turned down.
Should they be successful in their endeavours, they will welcome a highly-rated player who was once tipped to have more potential than Haaland by their former RB Salzburg boss, Rene Aufhauser. The Norwegian goal machine, now 25, spent time at Salzburg between 2019 and 2020, whilst Sesko represented the Austrian outfit from 2020 to 2023.
And speaking to the Mail in 2022, Aufhauser said of the two: "Benjamin is maybe the better football player, better to play with the team, technically maybe better at the same age. His natural movements are so good, he's 6ft 4in tall, fast and has very, very good physical ability.
"He's so smooth with the ball, very good technique, good finishing and he jumps so high. Very, very, good with the head, It's unbelievable. Erling was mentally a monster and [mentally] better at the same age. This is the last five, 10 per cent that Benji has to get."
Whilst Sesko may be younger, it's undeniable that by 22, Haaland had already secured his lucrative transfer to City, with whom he clinched the Premier League title in his debut season. Since joining forces with Pep Guardiola, he has consistently been one of the most formidable strikers in the league, bagging two top-flight titles and the Champions League.
Rene Aufhauser looks on
Rene Aufhauser has given his take on Benjamin Sesko(Image: Christian Hofer - FC Liefering, FC Liefering via Getty Images)
Although Sesko's recent statistics don't quite match up to Haaland's, he still played a part in 18 goals for Leipzig last season as the club struggled in the Bundesliga, ultimately missing out on a Champions League spot. It comes as Newcastle are on the hunt for a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, should he leave amidst strong rumours linking him to Liverpool.
The Sweden international recently returned to Tyneside for pre-season preparations after missing the Magpies' summer tour of Singapore and South Korea, with the Premier League champions looking to sign him. The Reds reportedly submitted an opening bid worth around £110m for the 25-year-old, only to have their advances rebuffed as United value the star at a far steeper £150m.
Howe has made it no secret that retaining Isak for the fresh Premier League campaign has been a priority, telling Chronicle Live amid the transfer saga: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control."
Erling Haaland of Red Bull Salzburg celebrates after scoring a goal
Erling Haaland played at Red Bull Salzburg for one season
Should the Magpies sign Sesko with hopes of the talent hitting the ground running in his first season, they may be disappointed, given Aufhauser also explained that the star is still far from a finished product.
He added: "He needs experience at this level and also maybe to learn to handle and deal with disappointment. Sometimes he wants to be perfect. He has to stay cool, stay calm and to wait for his next chance. This is maybe the biggest thing he has to learn."
It's a sentiment that was also recently echoed by a top-level recruitment specialist in conversation with the BBC. The unnamed source explained: "He is clinical, he can drop in into space.
"One of his strengths is getting the ball quickly. He can hold it, hold defenders off, he can give it to the winger, he can give it to the 10. He's good in front of goal.
"He has a good attitude. He is relentless. You wouldn't expect him to hit the ground running straight away, but in six to 12 months he will be fine and you've got yourself a very good player."