'Plan worked' - Striker's agent explains Newcastle United U-turn as Liverpool dealt Isak blow

The summer transfer window has proven particularly frustrating for Newcastle United, with their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško ending in disappointment as Manchester United swooped in to secure the Slovenian’s signature.

This failed move carries significant consequences for the Magpies, compounding their existing striker crisis following Alexander Isak’s decision to go on strike ahead of their Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

Šeško had emerged as Newcastle’s primary target to replace Isak after the Swedish international expressed his desire to join Liverpool.

The 21-year-old’s agent, Elvis Basanović, revealed in an interview with Slovenian station POP TV that his client had long dreamed of playing for Manchester United, even agreeing to reduced wages to facilitate the move. “Benjamin was willing to take a pay cut to make this happen,” Basanović admitted.

“We’ve been planning this since he was 15, with two years in the Bundesliga specifically to prepare for this Premier League opportunity.”

This revelation exposes the challenges Newcastle face in competing with traditional “big six” clubs for elite talent.

Despite reportedly agreeing personal terms with Šeško and having established contact with his representatives as far back as 2022—when Basanović posted cryptic social media hints about visiting Tyneside the Magpies ultimately couldn’t compete with the allure of Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s aggressive pursuit, including negotiations across three countries and six cities in the final fortnight, demonstrated the level of commitment that Newcastle couldn’t match.

The ramifications of this failed transfer extend beyond just missing out on Šeško. With Isak effectively on strike and no like-for-like replacement secured, Newcastle find themselves in a precarious position with just weeks remaining in the transfer window.

The club’s hierarchy has made it clear they won’t sanction Isak’s departure to Liverpool without securing an adequate replacement first—a stance that grows increasingly problematic as the deadline approaches.

Newcastle’s current pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa highlights their scrambling efforts to bolster their attacking options.

However, the 28-year-old Congo international is viewed as a replacement for the departed Callum Wilson rather than a direct substitute for Isak’s world-class potential.

This stopgap solution underscores the difficult balancing act facing sporting director Dan Ashworth—maintaining squad quality while operating within financial constraints.

The situation reveals several key challenges for Newcastle’s ambitious project:

Competing with Established Elite Clubs – Despite their Saudi-backed ownership and Champions League qualification, Newcastle still struggle to win head-to-head battles for top young talent against clubs with greater historical prestige.
The Domino Effect of Failed Transfers – Missing out on primary targets creates a chain reaction that limits options as the window progresses, often forcing clubs to settle for less ideal alternatives.
Player Power Concerns – Isak’s strike action sets a dangerous precedent and demonstrates how vulnerable clubs become when star players force moves.
Squad Planning Complications – The Šeško saga has left Newcastle’s striker department dangerously thin, with only Will Osula as a recognized center-forward for their opening fixtures.

As the transfer deadline looms, Newcastle’s recruitment team faces immense pressure to salvage their summer plans.

The club’s supporters, who had hoped for statement signings following their Carabao Cup triumph and European qualification, are instead witnessing a frustrating exodus of key players without adequate replacements.

This episode serves as a stark reminder of the difficult transition phase Newcastle currently occupy—no longer a mid-table team, but not yet an established destination for football’s most coveted talents.

How they navigate these final weeks of the window could define their season and potentially their ability to retain their status as Champions League contenders.

The coming days will test the resolve of Newcastle’s ownership and management team as they attempt to pivot from their Šeško disappointment while simultaneously addressing the Isak standoff.

One thing is certain—the Magpies cannot afford many more transfer window setbacks if they hope to build on last season’s successes.