“Not Ekitike”: Newcastle United eye £78M Bundesliga forward while keeping tabs on Yoane Wissa

Newcastle United are actively exploring attacking reinforcements this summer and have turned their attention to Benjamin Sesko following their decision to abandon talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over Hugo Ekitike.

Although the club engaged in discussions for the French striker, they opted not to table a formal offer, citing that Frankfurt’s asking price was not justifiable.

Sources close to the Magpies made it clear that the valuation exceeded what they considered a fair market rate, prompting them to refocus their efforts elsewhere.

As uncertainty continues to swirl around the future of Alexander Isak, who has attracted strong interest from Liverpool despite his hefty £130 million valuation, Newcastle’s need to secure an additional centre-forward has become more urgent.

While Isak remains a central figure in Eddie Howe’s project, the possibility of losing him or requiring consistent support due to fixture congestion has prompted the club to cast a wider net in the transfer market.

That has led them to Benjamin Sesko, the prolific 22-year-old forward who enjoyed a breakout season with RB Leipzig, where he notched 21 goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances across all competitions.

Sesko had previously emerged as a major target for Arsenal earlier in the window. However, with the Gunners shifting their focus to Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres after making headway in negotiations, a door has opened for other Premier League sides to re-enter the race for the Slovenian international.

Intermediaries working on Sesko’s behalf have reportedly floated his name to top-flight English clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Newcastle have now joined that growing list of admirers, and while they have yet to open formal talks, the club is believed to be closely monitoring the player’s status and evaluating whether a deal can realistically be achieved.

RB Leipzig initially demanded a fee in the region of £78 million during discussions with Arsenal, although it remains unclear whether their stance has softened since.

That figure still represents a significant investment, especially for a player only one year into his Bundesliga career, but Sesko’s blend of youth, athleticism, and goal-scoring instincts make him an attractive proposition for any club looking to build a long-term project.

Despite his public show of commitment to Leipzig—most notably through a recent Instagram post where he posed in the club’s new kit—Sesko is reportedly open to a Premier League switch, provided the move aligns with his career goals and development trajectory.

Newcastle’s striker search doesn’t end with Sesko. The club remains interested in Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, who continues to generate strong interest across the division.

Brentford have already turned down an approach from Nottingham Forest for the DR Congo international, and Newcastle are now weighing whether Wissa could provide the kind of firepower and tactical flexibility that Howe desires.

The Magpies had previously missed out on Joao Pedro—who has since impressed in a Chelsea shirt during the Club World Cup—and remain determined not to repeat similar setbacks this time around.

The recent addition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest has added pace and width to the squad, but it’s the centre-forward role that remains the clear priority before the transfer window shuts.

Newcastle’s scouting team continues to vet various profiles across Europe, though some of the names linked to the club—such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, and Nicolas Jackson—appear speculative at best and lack strong corroborating sources.

Another surprising name floated has been Brazilian prodigy Endrick of Real Madrid, though any move there seems highly unlikely given the player’s future already seems committed to Los Blancos, as reported by Spanish outlet Defensa Central.

With ambitions to strengthen their attacking options and maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions, Newcastle’s recruitment team is under pressure to deliver a forward who can not only contribute immediately but also evolve with the club’s growing aspirations.

Whether that profile turns out to be Sesko, Wissa, or another emerging talent, the next few weeks will be crucial in shaping the club’s attacking identity heading into the new campaign.