Sky Sports: Leipzig and Newcastle now negotiating payment terms of Benjamin Sesko £70m transfer fee

The protracted transfer saga surrounding Benjamin Šeško appears to be reaching its climax, with Newcastle United and RB Leipzig now engaged in detailed discussions over the payment structure of a potential £70 million deal.

Sky Sports reports that while the total valuation has been met €75 million guaranteed with €5 million in add-ons both clubs are finalizing the intricate financial terms that will determine how and when the Bundesliga side receives compensation for their prized asset.

This development follows a whirlwind 24 hours in which Slovenian media claimed Šeško had chosen Newcastle over Manchester United, while the striker’s conspicuous absence from Leipzig’s pre-season friendly against Atalanta added further weight to speculation about his imminent departure.

The 22-year-old was one of several high-profile omissions from Marco Rose’s squad, alongside Xavi Simons, who is reportedly Chelsea-bound.

Such exclusions typically signal advanced transfer negotiations in Germany, where clubs rarely risk injury to assets on the verge of big-money moves.

Keith Downie of Sky Sports provides crucial context to the unfolding drama, clarifying that contrary to some reports, Leipzig have not rejected Newcastle’s offer outright.

Instead, the clubs are negotiating the payment schedule and potential performance-related clauses—standard practice for transfers of this magnitude.

These final details often prove pivotal, as evidenced by Newcastle’s previous dealings with European clubs, where payment structures have delayed or even derailed potential signings.

Šeško’s representatives are actively involved in the process, with his agent flying into Leipzig over the weekend to facilitate discussions.

Sources indicate the player himself remains genuinely torn between the two Premier League suitors, awaiting full agreement between the clubs before making his final decision.

This contrasts with earlier claims from Slovenian outlets that he had already opted for St James’ Park, highlighting how fluid such negotiations remain until official announcements are made.

For Newcastle, securing Šeško would represent a significant coup—both in sporting and symbolic terms. The 6’5″ striker’s 27 Bundesliga goals across two seasons demonstrate a rare blend of physical dominance and technical refinement, making him an ideal candidate to either complement or eventually replace Alexander Isak.

His potential arrival also signals Newcastle’s growing pull in the European market, having seemingly beaten traditional powers to a signature many expected would favor Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s interest shouldn’t be discounted entirely, however. New manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly made personal appeals to Šeško, emphasizing how the Slovenian would fit into his tactical vision.

United’s ability to offer Champions League football this season—unlike Newcastle—retains some appeal, though their financial constraints may limit their capacity to match Newcastle’s aggressive payment structure.

The coming days will prove decisive. With Leipzig’s Bundesliga campaign commencing shortly, all parties have incentive to conclude negotiations promptly.

Should Newcastle finalize terms, Šeško would likely undergo medical examinations midweek before being unveiled as the club’s record signing—eclipsing the £63 million paid for Isak in 2022.

This potential transfer carries ramifications beyond Tyneside. Šeško’s departure could trigger a domino effect across Europe’s striker market, with Leipzig already linked to replacements like Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.

For Newcastle, success in these negotiations would not only bolster their attacking options but also demonstrate their ability to compete with elite clubs for world football’s most promising talents—a crucial step in their ambitious project under Saudi-backed ownership.