‘I saw him’: Alan Shearer delivers his honest verdict on Newcastle signing Benjamin Sesko
The winds of change are blowing through St James’ Park as Newcastle United brace for Alexander Isak’s potential departure, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško emerging as the primary target to fill the Swedish striker’s considerable boots.
The Slovenian international, who previously attracted serious interest from Arsenal before their move for Viktor Gyökeres, now finds himself at the center of Newcastle’s rebuilding plans a development that has prompted club legend Alan Shearer to share his characteristically forthright assessment.
Shearer, never one to mince words, offered a balanced perspective during his appearance on The Rest Is Football podcast.
While expressing enthusiasm about the prospect of signing both Šeško and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer highlighted the inherent risks in pursuing the younger Slovenian.
“Wissa’s Premier League experience counts for a lot,” Shearer noted, before adding, “Šeško’s clearly talented, but I watched him in the Champions League last season and there’s definite room for improvement. Bringing someone unproven in England always carries risk.”
The financial implications of the potential deal loom large over negotiations. Leipzig’s substantial asking price reported to be in excess of £60 million forced Arsenal to reconsider their interest earlier in the window, presenting Newcastle with both a challenge and an opportunity.
Securing Šeško’s signature would not only soften the blow of Isak’s expected exit but could also serve as a statement of intent to unsettled stars like Bruno Guimarães, who may be questioning the club’s ambition following a frustrating summer in the transfer market.
Šeško’s profile makes him an intriguing replacement for Isak. At just 21 years old, the 6’4″ striker combines physical presence with technical refinement, drawing comparisons to both Isak and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
His potential arrival would signal Newcastle’s commitment to building around young, dynamic talents capable of growing with the project – even if it requires paying a premium for unproven Premier League quality.
The situation presents Eddie Howe with both a tactical puzzle and an opportunity to reshape his attack. While Wissa offers the safer, more immediate solution with his proven top-flight credentials, Šeško represents the higher-ceiling option who could develop into one of Europe’s elite strikers.
Shearer’s pragmatic assessment reflects this dichotomy – acknowledging the appeal of Šeško’s potential while recognizing the comfort of Wissa’s reliability.
Beyond the pitch, the psychological impact of this transfer could prove equally significant. Landing a player of Šeško’s caliber one that Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta reportedly preferred to Gyökeres would demonstrate Newcastle’s ability to compete for elite young talent despite Financial Fair Play constraints.
For a squad that exceeded expectations by qualifying for the Champions League, such ambition could be crucial in maintaining morale and preventing further exits.
As negotiations continue, Newcastle’s hierarchy faces a critical decision. Do they invest heavily in Šeško’s potential, banking on Howe’s ability to develop raw talent into Premier League quality?
Or do they opt for the safer, more economical Wissa to ensure immediate returns? Shearer’s comments suggest he sees merit in both approaches, but ultimately recognizes that replacing a player of Isak’s quality requires bold thinking.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle’s pursuit of Šeško proves successful, but one thing is certain the decision will shape the club’s trajectory for years to come.
In a summer that has tested supporters’ patience, securing either target would provide welcome reassurance that Newcastle’s ambitions remain intact despite the potential loss of their star striker.
As Shearer wisely observed, sometimes in football you need to take calculated risks to progress and in Šeško, Newcastle may have found theirs.