£55m transfer U-turn confirmed as Newcastle United, Arsenal & Man Utd target signs five-year deal

Benjamin Sesko has committed his future to Red Bull Leipzig, despite interest from several Premier League clubs.

The 21-year-old only joined Leipzig from sister club RB Salzburg last summer but was expected to move on again with clubs lining up to activate his £55million release clause, which was active until the end of June.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were strongly linked with Sesko, while Newcastle United are known to have tracked the striker since his Salzburg days.

But in a surprise twist, Sesko has opted to remain at the Bundesliga outfit and pen a new improved five-year contract. That is believed to contain a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ over a future transfer, similar to the deal Erling Haaland agreed at Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Haaland then joined Manchester City 12 months later.

Sesko said: "I had a good first year at RB Leipzig and am incredibly happy to be here. Team, club, city, fans - the overall package is simply outstanding for me. The early contract extension was therefore the logical next step for me. “Even though I didn't play or score as much in the first half of the season, this phase was very important for me and my development. I feel a lot of trust and appreciation throughout the club and that is crucial for being able to perform to my full potential. In the second half of the season in particular, I was able to give something back with my goals.

“We have a team with great potential and a balanced mix of young and experienced players. I'm really looking forward to taking the next steps with this team. We've already achieved a lot in my first season and often shown the amount of quality and outstanding football we can bring to the pitch. But there's still a lot more to be done and that's now our common goal."

The Slovenian was keen to get his future sorted before competing at Euro 2024. Sesko is set line up against England, Serbia and Denmark in Group C.

Sesko scored 18 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season, including goals in each of the last seven Bundesliga matches of the campaign. A successful Euros and 2024-25 season will undoubtedly bring the player’s future back under the spotlight.