With Alexander Isak pushing for a move away from Tyneside, Newcastle United are faced with the difficult task of replacing one of the Premier League’s most technically gifted forwards.
The Swede’s blend of elegance, close control, and clinical finishing has made him a central figure in Eddie Howe’s system. Now, with Liverpool preparing a formal bid, Newcastle are already planning for life without their star striker.
In searching for a successor, Newcastle are looking for someone who shares Isak’s key qualities and possesses the potential to develop into one of the league’s leading strikers.
The forward they’ve identified ticks those boxes…
Latest on Newcastle's search to replace Isak
The bombshell news broke on Thursday that the Magpies’ main man is intent on leaving the club, having thus far failed to commit to a new deal at St James’ Park.
With that in mind, Newcastle are preparing to present their long-term project to Benjamin Šeško, the 21-year-old Slovenian striker currently at RB Leipzig, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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After monitoring his progress since his RB Salzburg days, and previously attempting to sign him in 2022, the club are once again pushing to secure his signature.
With Leipzig finishing seventh in the Bundesliga and tumbling out of the Champions League early, the timing aligns perfectly.
His contract runs until 2029, but a £60m bid, down from the £85m figure previously quoted, could now be enough to secure his services.
Why Šeško is the perfect Isak replacement
With Isak’s departure appearing increasingly likely, Šeško is seen as the ideal successor. Standing at 194cm, he matches Isak’s physical presence but adds an impressive mix of speed, agility, and strength.
Despite operating in a Leipzig side that underperformed last season, his displays in the Bundesliga only strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young centre-forwards.
Owing to his blend of pace and a towering frame, football talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him the “new Erling Haaland” – though Šeško’s style is notably more measured and refined.
While his overall numbers may fall short of Isak’s, they paint the picture of a striker not just keeping pace with the Premier League star, but exceeding expectations in less favourable circumstances.
The comparisons between the two are striking.
As per Transfermarkt, Šeško scored 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, including 13 in the Bundesliga. Though he registered fewer total goal involvements than Isak (18 vs. 29), his efficiency in front of goal was impressive.
He scored 11 non-penalty goals from 8.4 expected, a sharp overperformance that suggests a striker with strong finishing instincts.
That ability to convert is reflected in his other shooting metrics.
According to data from FBref, Šeško averaged 2.5 shots per 90, compared to Isak’s 3.1, and put 43.9% of them on target, a touch higher than Isak’s 43.2%. Though he operates with slightly lower volume, the Slovenian is equally efficient, a valuable trait for a forward potentially operating in a Newcastle team that created fewer clear chances than some of their top-six rivals last season.
Šeško’s pace also adds a key dimension. At Salzburg, he was clocked at 36.11 km/h — one of the fastest top-level strikers in Europe.
In terms of buildup and link play, he’s still developing.
The same data showed that he averaged 15.7 completed passes per 90 with a 67.6% completion rate, lower than Isak’s 17 passes at 75.3%. But he’s competent at holding the ball up and offers glimpses of becoming a more rounded playmaker, something reflected in his 1.74 progressive passes per 90 and 1.93 shot-creating actions.
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Perhaps most importantly, he appears ready to take the next step. Though he hasn’t agitated for a move, reports in Germany suggest Šeško views a switch to the Premier League as a logical progression.
Arsenal had previously shown strong interest, preferring him to Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres due to his age. However, they stepped back, paving the way for Newcastle to step in and pitch themselves as the perfect platform.
There’s also a stylistic harmony between Šeško and Howe’s approach. Like Isak, he offers vertical threat and mobility, capable of drifting into wide channels to stretch defences and creating space for others.
His pressing numbers are low (just 0.11 tackles in the attacking third per 90, compared to Isak’s 0.23), but his energy and willingness to learn could suit the high-intensity demands at St James’ Park.
With Chelsea target Xavi Simons already edging toward the Leipzig exit and interest in Loïs Openda growing, it feels like the Bundesliga club are bracing for change.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are ready to capitalise — seeing Šeško not just as a replacement for Isak, but a long-term centrepiece for their next phase.
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